Democrats urge rejection of Schwarzenegger’s lieutenant governor pick

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State Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s pick for lieutenant governor, is getting ready for his close-up. As Maldonado prepares for his first confirmation hurdle -- before the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday -- he is holding a news conference to make his case to reporters.

If Maldonado is to be confirmed, he will need the blessing of Democratic leaders in the Assembly and the State Senate. But the state’s Democratic Party leadership is putting pressure on Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) to reject Maldonado’s nomination.

In a letter that invoked the memory of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, Democratic Party Vice Chairwoman Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker sent a letter to Democrats in the Legislature urging them to vote against Maldonado’s confirmation.

‘In no way should this seat be willfully ceded to the Republicans ...’ the letter states. ‘Should that happen, Democrats across the state have every reason to be demoralized and further disconnected from you, our elected Democratic leaders.’

Legislative Democrats have crossed party lines to confirm Republicans to statewide office before. In 2005, Schwarzenegger nominated Bruce McPherson to replace Secretary of State Kevin Shelley, who resigned from office. Democrats in both houses voted overwhelmingly to confirm McPherson to the post.

-- Anthony York in Sacramento