WILSON CHOOSES MODERATE GOP LAWMAKER FOR HIS SENATE SEAT

Sen. Pete Wilson (R), who will be sworn in as California's governor Jan. 7, said Wednesday he had picked Republican state lawmaker John Seymour to fill his seat in the Senate. Mr. Seymour, a former Anaheim mayor and a political moderate from conservative Orange County, will have to run for election in 1992 to retain the seat. Both of California's Senate seats will be up for grabs that year. Sen. Alan Cranston, a Democrat, has decided not to seek reelection.

Senator Wilson announced his choice at a news conference in the state capital, ending speculation that he would name a figure already known in national politics. The early speculation had included United States Trade Representative Carla Hills and former Republican congressman and Silicon Valley businessman Ed Zschau.

Wilson described Seymour as a ``compasionate conservative'' and philosophically compatible with his own views.