California State Senator Abel Maldonado is hoping to become the state's first Hispanic Republican lieutenant governor in modern times, but Democrats aren't sure whether to approve his nomination.
The state Senate today began its confirmation hearing on the matter.
A moderate from Santa Barbara County, Maldonado was nominated by Gov. Schwarzenegger, who shares Maldonado's political sensibilities.
"I love this guy," Schwarzenegger said last week, at a gathering for Silicon Valley business leaders, according to the San Jose Mercury News. "He is a great, great leader... He only works for what's best for the people of California, not for his party."
Schwarzenegger's nomination poses a political dilemma for Democrats, who would rather see one of their own appointed to the post but do not want to alienate the state's Hispanic voters.
In California, Hispanics constitute 37 percent of the population but just 21 percent of the all the state's voters, according to the Orange County Register. Whites make up 43 percent, but 65 percent of the voters.
Meanwhile, in a sign that voting against Maldonado could seriously damage the Democrats, the prominent National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), strongly urges Maldonado's confirmation.
"His nomination shows the progress Latinos are making at the highest levels of leadership in the United States," the group said in a statement in November.
Confirming Maldonado could also play to the Democrats' advantage. The Democrats are one member shy of a two-thirds majority in the state Senate, and Democrats would have a strong chance in electing one of their own to his seat in his District 15 -- stretching from San Jose to northern Santa Barbara County -- which leans slightly to the left.
In California, passing the budget or a tax proposal requires a two-thirds majority.
On Tuesday, Maldonado demonstrated his moderate sensibilities by reaffirming his opposition to new oil drilling off the shores of Santa Barbara, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Maldonado has said he opposes the plan for lack of an adequate guarantee the oil platforms would be removed upon completion of the program.
