Maldonado wins key Assembly vote for lieutenant governor’s post

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The Assembly voted Thursday to install Sen. Abel Maldonado, a moderate Republican from Santa Maria, as lieutenant governor. Senate approval is expected in the coming days. The upper house has already expressed its support for the senator, nominated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in a previous vote. Assembly Democrats, however, for weeks had been blocking Maldonado from taking the lieutenant governor’s job, a largely ceremonial post which became vacant when former Lt. Gov. John Garamendi won a congressional seat. They argued that a special election to fill Maldonado’s Senate seat would be too costly, and noted that there is less than a year left remaining in the lieutenant governor’s term. Allowing Maldonado to take the position gives him the incumbent’s edge in the upcoming election. Maldonado was initially rejected by the Legislature. But the governor refused to make another appointment. He immediately renominated Maldonado for the job. The Assembly approved the appointment by a vote of 51-17. [Updated at 10:46 a.m.: The timing of Thursday’s vote is also significant. If Maldonado is confirmed now, it allows Schwarzenegger to consolidate the runoff election for his Senate seat with the November general election. A consolidated election would mean a higher turnout than a standalone special election. Democrats believe that would give them a better chance of winning Maldonado’s Senate seat. Senate approval is expected as early as Monday.

Maldonado’s detractors were mostly Democrats. One Republican, Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine), voted against confirmation, saying Maldonado had traded a budget vote last year for ’30 pieces of silver,’ implying Schwarzenegger nominated Maldonado in exchange for his budget vote.

Maldonado’s Central Coast district spans from San Luis Obispo to southern Santa Cruz County. Democrats hold a small registration advantage in the district, and it is considered one of the few remaining competitive legislative districts in the state. ]

-- Evan Halper and Anthony York