More than a half-dozen local pols are in the hunt for a gubernatorial appointment as the next Suffolk County sheriff after the surprise announcement last week by Sheriff Richard Rouse that he will resign the $107,000-per-year post on November 30 in order to take the city’s early-retirement package. At-large city councilor Stephen Murphy (Hyde Park), district city councilors Jimmy Kelly (South Boston) and Chuck Turner (Roxbury), State Representatives Martin Walsh (D-Dorchester) and Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), and Senator Robert Travaglini (D-East Boston) are among those reportedly eyeing the Pemberton Square post. Governor Jane Swift is expected to make the appointment sometime prior to Rouse’s departure.

Rouse has been under fire since early last year for his handling of a sex-for-favors scandal involving nearly a dozen corrections officers and women inmates at the Suffolk County House of Corrections, and the indictment of eight guards in connection with the alleged beatings of detainees awaiting trial at the Nashua Street Jail, both of which are administered by the Sheriff’s Office. At a snap press conference called last week to announce his decision, Rouse insisted that neither the scandals nor the findings of a special commission appointed by Swift to investigate the sheriff’s management of the crises (its report is scheduled for release in the next two weeks) had anything to do with his retirement plans.

Rouse, who was himself appointed to the post in 1996 by then-governor William Weld before winning election to the office in 1998, had announced earlier this month that he would not be a candidate for re-election in 2004 for a second six-year term. The city’s lucrative early-retirement package will allow Rouse, 48, to collect some $56,000 per year in benefits. With Rouse’s management — or mismanagement — of the scandals likely to be highlighted again with the issuance of the special commission’s report, Swift is coming under strong pressure to eschew the appointment of another career politician to the post in favor of a corrections professional. But James Borghesani, the governor’s press secretary, says Swift will not exclude politicians from consideration. " The governor appointed the special commission, so she is aware of the challenges of the office ... and she will find someone suitable to the challenge, " he says, noting that all applicants will be vetted prior to consideration.

Notwithstanding the fallout from the scandals, the rocky union-management relations it has engendered, and the scrutiny the new sheriff is likely to attract, the job’s handsome salary, $90 million annual budget, and 1100 employees make the post enticing for ambitious local politicians. The position makes for a solid base from which to run a strong statewide or mayoral race, as former sheriff Robert Rufo did in 1993, when former mayor Ray Flynn was named ambassador to the Vatican and a slew of candidates, including then–city councilor Thomas Menino, ran for mayor.

Murphy, a three-term at-large councilor who just came off an unsuccessful run for state treasurer, already has a strong organization. Kelly has a strong base in South Boston and has been supportive of past Republican governors, making him a possibility. Turner has been a strong advocate of prisoners’ rights. His appointment would allow Swift to send a message to the corrections officers union. Walsh is an up-and-coming state lawmaker, who is seen as having mayoral ambitions. He briefly toyed with the idea of running for Suffolk County Register of Deeds — that is, until popular at-large city councilor Mickey Roache decided to run for the post. Travaglini has his eyes on the Senate president’s job, or at least on the Senate majority leader’s position, but is reported to harbor mayoral ambitions as well. DeLeo, though he hails from Winthrop and lacks a Boston base of support, is reportedly a favorite of House Speaker Thomas Finneran.

While there are a handful of insiders at the jail capable of stepping up into the sheriff’s position, most employees believe Swift will opt for another politician, according to one Sheriff’s Department employee, who asked not to be identified. " Depending upon where they are from, everyone you talk to has a favorite, " he offers. " If they are from South Boston, it is Kelly; if they are from East Boston, it is Travaglini; if they are from Hyde Park, it is Murphy; from Dorchester, Walsh ... but no one knows for sure. "

Whatever Swift does, she'd better do it soon, according to Rick Lombardi, a spokesman for the sheriff. When a sheriff vacates office, the special sheriff (who is second in command) is empowered by statute to take over on an interim basis. However, because both Rouse and Special Sheriff Brian Byrnes — a long-time Rouse aide and confidant — are retiring on the same day, sheriff’s deputies will be unable to carry out their duties if Swift does not appoint a replacement by November 30, Lombardi says.

" Someone needs to be in here to re-deputize people so they can do their jobs, " he says. " Otherwise there will be no one here legally empowered to transport prisoners, serve writs, etc. "

Borghesani says Swift is aware of the situation. " While we are not going to rush and make any hasty decisions, we are not going to take an undue amount of time either, " he added.