It took almost eight years, but California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger finally recognized the one state senator who has been at his side throughout his tenor, Senator Abel Maldonado. Nominating Maldonado to finish the Lt. Governor’s term vacated when John Garamendi was elected to Congress this November, is a good selection, but one that is making political leaders on both sides very uncomfortable. The key will be for Maldonado to receive confirmation from his colleagues in the Senate and Assembly who share his “maverick” philosophy.
Maldonado is a 42-year old Republican Senator representing the 15th State Senate District, which is comprised of San Luis Obispo County, parts of northern Santa Barbara County, western Monterey County, southeastern Santa Cruz County and southern Santa Clara County. The young political prodigy was first elected to the Santa Maria city council at age 26 and at age 28 won his bid for Mayor, defeating the incumbent Mayor and stunning many area political leaders. Two years later, he was elected to represent the 33rd Assembly District, receiving an incredible 60 percent of the vote. His reelection bids in 2000 and 2002 garnered 65 and 63 percent of the vote, respectively. Maldonado’s closest race was for State Senate, which the Democrats could reclaim if he were to be confirmed as Lt. Governor, where he managed to receive 53 percent of the vote.
In 2000, Maldonado made American history after delivering a speech entirely in Spanish at the 2000 Republican National Convention, catching the eye of many Latinos nationwide. So, it was only fitting that his nomination by Schwarzenegger be announced to a national audience through the Jay Leno Show. READ FULL STORY
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