At some point today, John Garamendi will be sworn in as a new member of the United States House of Representatives. In doing so, he will step down from the office of Lt. Governor. Governor Schwarzenegger will be able to name his replacement, subject to a confirmation vote of both the State Senate and the State Assembly. In theory the Governor could tap Garamendi’s replacement as early as tomorrow afternoon – after all, he has already had over a month to think about it, with Garamendi the overwhelming favorite to win his election to Congress as the Democrat nominee in a House seat with an 18-point advantage for the party of Obama.
There has been a good deal of conjecture taking place already as to whom the Governor might appoint. Let me start off by saying that the names of a number of Democrats have been thrown 
around – the most plausible of which being that of his old friend, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (pictured, who is currently trying to change the world as Co-Chairman of California Forward). If you were to be of the mind to think that Schwarzenegger might tap someone outside of his own political party for the position, then Hertzy probably would be a likely pick. This of course would be especially concerning to Senators Dean Florez and Alan Lowenthal, the two Democrats duking it out for their party’s nomination for LG. Some have said Hertzy would only take the position as a caretaker. I don’t buy that – should he get the appointment, I predict he ends up seeking election to a full four year term, with Schwarzenegger crossing party lines to endorse him. Some have suggested that the Governor might tap his Chief of Staff, Democrat Susan Kennedy, who would not seek election. This isn’t likely, but a fun rumor to continue to throw around.
That said, I think that it is more likely that the Governor would appoint someone from his own Republican Party to fill out the remainder of Garamendi’s four-year term. Anyone that the Governor might tap would likely have to publicly commit to being a caretaker who will not seek election to the office – otherwise it is likely that they would not be confirmed by the legislature. This probably eliminates for consideration the two Republicans running for the GOP nomination for Lite Gov – Senators Jeff Denham and Sam Aanestad.
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November 5th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Why not Jay Leno? Based on his new show’s ratings, he may need a job!
November 5th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Lets let Jeff Dunham get some pre-orientation to the job….but of course, the gov. will do the obvious appoint a tax and spend whack job.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Does it require a majority of 2/3 vote to confirm the new Lt. Gov.?
November 5th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Majority votes of each house…
November 5th, 2009 at 12:00 am
He could just go Rod Blagojevich and sell it to the highest bidder!
Better yet let’s put it on Ebay and donate the money to the state budget!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:00 am
The real question is whether or not he has a favorite in the Governor’s race that he wants to give a lot of free publicity to. He could certainly give that person a leg up if he chose to play it that way. However I was asked the other day whom I would pick if I had the chance and I said Dr. Steven Sample which would probably make Matt Rexroad very happy.
Right now a lot of things in Sacramento are not getting done for political reasons and part of the problem is that no one trusts anyone on the other side and there are critical issues that have been falling by the wayside. I think people in both parties recognize that and that’s why there has been some movement on things like the water bond. But too much is still not happening. Since it would be a short term appointment I think Dr. Sample would have enough credibility as an outsider to bring people together to get some things done and just as importantly, would have the credibility with business and intellectual communities which are starting to shun anything to do with state government. We need to recreate the idea that politics is about making the state work in a better way and it’s not a good thing for anyone to stay out of the process no matter how nasty it has gotten. I think Dr. Sample could remind a lot of important people about why they have to take an interest in how California is governed. jmo!