State Sen. Abel Maldonado, picked by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week to fill the vacant lieutenant governor's job, told The Bee's Editorial Board today that he will seek to be elected to the post next year -- even if his legislative colleagues fail to confirm his appointment.

"If I'm good enough to be nominated, I'm good enough to run," Maldonado said.

In addition to that statement, Maldonado, 42, said he could work with Jerry Brown -- a Democrat -- if he is elected governor next year and Maldonado wins the lieutenant governor's post.

Part of Maldonado's pitch for the job is that he and Schwarzenegger -- both Republicans -- would work better as a team because they are from the same political party.

Maldonado, a Santa Maria resident, was selected by Schwarzenegger after Democrat John Garamendi -- who previously held the post -- was elected to Congress last month.

Under the state constitution, lawmakers have 90 days to act on Maldonado's appointment. If either the Assembly or the state Senate rejects Maldonado, he would retain his state Senate post and Schwarzenegger would be left with the choice of finding a new nominee or leaving the job vacant.

Maldonado was elected to his second term in the Senate last year and would reach his term limit in 2012. But now he has drawn a line in the sand: Approved or rejected by the Legislature, he will seek to be elected to the position next year.