Schwarzenegger Taps Moderate Republican For Lt. Governor

November 24, 2009 11:20 a.m. EST

Sacramento, CA (AHN) - State Sen. Abel Maldonado, a moderate Republican and the son of Mexican immigrant farm workers, has been nominated as California lieutenant governor. The post became vacant early this month when John Garamendi won a special election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a statement on Monday, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "Senator Maldonado has proven he has the strength and courage it takes to reach across the partisan divide and put the interests of Californians first and he is absolutely the most qualified person to take on the role."

The 42-year-old Maldonado will need confirmation from the state Assembly and Senate within 90 days before he officially assumes his new office, which would also make him the president of the state Senate and a member of several boards including the California State University Board of Trustees and the California State Lands Commission. He will fill the remaining term of Garamendi until next year's elections.

State Sens. Sam Aanestad and Jeff Denham, both Republicans, are running for the post.

Denham in a statement said he anticipates "a rigorous confirmation process" and cast doubt on "how a candidate who has voted for a massive tax increase could possibly win a statewide Republican primary," referring to Maldonado's vote in February that allowed Democrats to pass a controversial state budget proposed by Schwarzenegger to close a $41 billion deficit.

State Senate Majority Lader Dean Florez, a Democrat launched his campaign for lieutenant governor in April, said in a statement issued via Twitter, "I don't see the Senate confirming him."

Maldonado served in the state Assembly from 1998 to 2004 before being elected to the state Senate, where he is vice chairman of the committees on Food and Agriculture, and Human Services. He first entered politics in 1994, when he was elected to the Santa Maria City Council.

Garamendi, a Democrat, was sworn into office two weeks ago for the seat of Ellen Tauscher, who resigned earlier this year to become Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.