While confirmation is not yet a sure thing, contenders for his senate seat are already lining up.
Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) is set to start confirmation hearings today for the seat of lieutenant governor. He was nominated by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger back in November. It’s not clear whether he will have a tough time getting approval at the Senate Rules Committee hearing this afternoon, though he was criticized in the past by fellow Republicans for voting last year for a budget with temporary taxes.
What is certain, however, is the scramble for his senate seat should the confirmation go through. Former Assembly Member John Laird has already announced his intention to run, while Assembly Minority Leader Sam Blakeslee has expressed interest, but remained coy.
Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
