By Gina Gomez
Nov.24, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Republican state Senator Abel Maldonado has been nominated as California’s next lieutenant governor by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Jay Leno Show” on Monday. It has been confirmed by the fellow republican that Maldonado is likely to take the position of John Garamendi, a Democrat who won a Congress seat.

Defending his choice, Schwarzenegger emphasized that Maldonado deserved the position as he has worked really hard for public service and at the same time he has the ability to make decisions focusing on what is best for the people and not for the party. Moreover, the Governor added that the republican was into bipartisanship and post-partisanship which would enable him to cross the aisle.

Aaron McLear, Governor’s spokesperson, has mentioned that both Schwarzenegger and Maldonado are scheduled to appear in a press conference in Los Angeles to discuss the new appointment. 42 year old Maldonado, who is considered to be among the ideological allies of the Governor, belongs to an immigrant family which has migrated from Mexico. This year, the republican has provided pivotal votes to many important legislation that included giving his support to tax increment in the February budget plan.

The appointment of lieutenant governor requires the approval of the Legislature and if the nomination is not rejected by either houses then Maldonado would be the the first Republican Latino to hold the post since 1875. This was the second time that the Governor had used the talk show as a platform to express political developments after he had surprised the nation on 2003, when he had revealed in the show that he would run for the post of Governor.