Steven Perren had a curious response when Gov. Gray Davis’ people called him out of the blue four years ago and told him he was on a short list for a seat on the California Supreme Court.

“Frankly, my reaction was, ‘Come on.’ I wasn’t buying it,” the Ventura-based justice said. Having been on the Second District Court of Appeal for less than two years at the time and having never been mentioned as a candidate, he felt there had to be others more deserving.