He attended Santa Cruz High School, where he played football as a running back and baseball as a second baseman.

[3] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1965.

[4] Prior to his political career, he worked as the editor of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, a newspaper owned by his family.

McPherson was defeated in the 2002 election for Lieutenant Governor of California by incumbent Cruz Bustamante.

He was confirmed unanimously by both Democratic-controlled houses of the California State Legislature after being nominated to replace Shelley, a Democrat, by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.