Gov. Gray Davis has quietly nominated a generous political donor for a 12-year term on the University of California Board of Regents -- one of the most-coveted gubernatorial appointments in the state.

Norman J. Pattiz, founder and chairman of the nationwide radio network Westwood One, has been serving on the prestigious board since September 2001 when Davis appointed him to finish the three years remaining in the term of S. Stephen Nakashima, who resigned.

Davis now is asking the state Senate to confirm Pattiz to a new 12-year term before his current post expires in March.

Last month, Pattiz donated $100,000 to Davis' campaign to fight the recall. The radio mogul already had contributed more than $200,000 to Davis since 1998 and hosted a cocktail party at his Beverly Hills home for the governor and the media during the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

Davis, who forwarded the nomination to the Senate Rules Committee last week, has not publicly announced his intention to re-appoint Pattiz. The committee had scheduled a confirmation vote for Monday, but Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San Francisco, postponed action.

Davis' office routinely publishes press releases announcing appointments and re-appointments to everything from county fair boards to influential policy-making bodies, such as the Board of Regents and the California State University Board of Trustees.

A spokeswoman for Davis said Pattiz's nomination is not considered a new appointment or re-appointment because he already is serving as a regent and his current term has not yet expired.

"He's remaining on the board, so we did not issue a press release," said Amber Pasricha.

Pasricha dismissed any suggestion that Pattiz is being rewarded for his contribution to the governor's anti-recall efforts.

"We conduct policy and state business independently of what goes on at the campaign," she said.

Pattiz could not be reached for comment Monday.

Jim Knox, executive director of California Common Cause, said appointments to the UC board have a tradition of going to big political donors, regardless of who is in the Governor's Office.

"Appointing a regent who is a major campaign contributor is, unfortunately, true to form," he said. "Those positions, more than most gubernatorial appointments, almost appear to be for sale."

If Pattiz is confirmed, there still will be one vacancy on the 26-member board.