Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could be choosing his own lieutenant governor if a special congressional election goes as predicted on Tuesday. Lt. Gov. John Garamendi is expected to win the 10th Congressional District seat, That would vacate the lieutenant governor's post.
The Sacramento Bee reports a long list of possible appointments, including Assembly Member Mike Villines, R-Clovis, and Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto. Here's more from the SacBee story:
Political consultants have thrown out several names as possibilities. Chief among them has been state Sen. Abel Maldonado, a moderate Republican from Santa Maria who provided a crucial budget vote in February and who often advocates on the governor's behalf.Another possibility is Assemblyman Mike Villines of Clovis, who was replaced as Assembly Republican leader this spring after striking a tax-hike budget compromise with Schwarzenegger and Democrats. For the same reason, some have mentioned ousted Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill of Modesto as a possible pick.
But there's a catch: Any nominee must avoid rejection by majorities in the Senate and Assembly, which means Democrats have a huge say. In 1989, for instance, now-Rep. Dan Lungren made it through the Assembly as Deukmejian's nominee for attorney general but couldn't get past Senate Democrats.
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