At a press conference in Los Angeles on Nov. 24, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he has nominated Sen. Abel Maldonado as California’s lieutenant governor. If confirmed by the Legislature, the Santa Maria Republican will replace exiting Lt. Governor John Garamendi, who was recently elected to Congress.
“[Maldonado] is more than just a strong leader and a smart leader,” Schwarzenegger said in an opening speech broadcast live from the governor’s website, gov.ca.gov. “He is a living, breathing example of the American dream.”
Maldonado’s parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the 1960s as part of the Bracero program. As a child, Maldonado helped his family pick strawberries in the fields of several California farming communities. He went on to earn a degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and was elected mayor of Santa Maria in 1996. Maldonado served in the state Assembly from 1998 to 2004, and, for the last five years, has served as Senator of California’s 15th District, which includes Northern Santa Barbara County.
Flanked by his family and friends, Maldonado thanked his parents for instilling in him a strong work ethic and sense of family values.
“My parents taught me that in America we had to work twice as hard to make a difference as an immigrant family,” he said.
“I want people … to look at me and see that there is no limit on which you can dream in America,” he continued. “But my parents also taught me that the only way to achieve a dream is to work hard, and that’s what I’m going to do for California. I’m going to put California back to work by creating jobs.”
As lieutenant governor, Maldonado would serve as acting governor when the governor is out of the state and as president of the state Senate. He would also sit on the University of California Board of Regents, the California State University board of trustees, and the California State Lands Commission.
At the press conference, Schwarzenegger said he has always felt a connection with Maldonado, and that he has complete confidence in the senator’s abilities to serve as lieutenant governor.
“This is like a marriage. The senator and I have been soulmates since the beginning,” Schwarzenegger said. “The more I got to know him, the more I got to like him—not because he was a Republican or because he crossed the aisle.”
Schwarzenegger said he liked Maldonado for his strong sense of family values, his apparent love for California, and the fact that he is a hardworking man.
Alluding to past political disagreements, Schwarzenegger said: “I compare it to a marriage because we all have differences with our spouses. It’s never perfect all
the time.”
When asked if he felt the appointment would further divide political parties in Sacramento, Schwarzenegger said: “The most important thing right now is, ‘How do we move the state forward?’ and ‘How do we create jobs?’ Not worrying over and fighting over Republicans versus Democrats.
“I hope that [members of the Legislature don’t] look at this in a political way, but as what’s best for California,” he said.
Mike Naple, a spokesman for the governor’s office, said in order for Maldonado to assume the position of lieutenant governor, he would have to resign as senator.
“That would open it up for a special election in the 15th Senate District,” Naple said.
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 3, 2009.