Three Democrats call for Abel Maldonado’s rejection

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As Sen. Abel Maldonado’s confirmation hearing in the Assembly Rules Committee was postponed until Tuesday, three Assembly Democrats held a Capitol news conference arguing that Maldonado’s nomination as lieutenant governor should be rejected.

‘We’re 121 days away from the primary election. What’s the rush?’ asked Assemblyman Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara), one of the lawmakers who opposes confirming Maldonado.

Nava said he does not know how many Democrats will vote to oppose Maldonado’s nomination when it comes to the Assembly floor, either later this week or early next week, but he said there was ‘substantial opposition.’ ‘I can’t quantify it any more than that,’ he said.

Schwarzenegger has filled one other constitutional vacancy during his gubernatorial tenure, appointing Sen. Bruce McPherson (R-Santa Cruz) to replace Democrat Kevin Shelley as secretary of state after Shelley’s resignation. Ironically, McPherson held the same Senate seat Maldonado now holds. McPherson was confirmed in a unanimous vote in both the senate and assembly in 2005, but lost in a November 2006 election to Democrat Debra Bowen.

When McPherson’s confirmation came before the Assembly in 2005, Nava was one of the 71 Assembly members to vote for his confirmation. ‘That was the first year that I was in office,’ Nava said. ‘I was certainly not as familiar with Mr. McPherson’s record as I am with Sen. Maldonado’s. I’ve lived with Sen. Maldonado’s record. I’ve seen how he’s voted. And he has consistently voted against working men and women in this state, against the environment.’

Maldonado was selected by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to replace Democrat John Garamendi, who was elected to Congress last year. Voters will select a new lieutenant governor in November, but the governor has the right to serve out the rest of Garamendi’s term, which runs through the end of this year.

-- Anthony York in Sacramento