Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s urgency to call a special
election for Aug. 17 to fill State Sen. Abel Maldonado’s seat after
he was appointed lieutenant governor will cost the 15th District
millions of dollars.
Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Carmel) opposes Schwarzenegger’s
position, which was announced Tuesday afternoon, to not consolidate
an election and asked that the seat be left open until November
when the matter could simply be added to the ballot.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s urgency to call a special election for Aug. 17 to fill State Sen. Abel Maldonado’s seat after he was appointed lieutenant governor will cost the 15th District millions of dollars.
Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Carmel) opposes Schwarzenegger’s position, which was announced Tuesday afternoon, to not consolidate an election and asked that the seat be left open until November when the matter could simply be added to the ballot.
“While I understand the governor’s desire to fill the vacancy in the Senate quickly, it is fiscally irresponsible to require the five counties impacted to pay for a special election,” stated Assemblymember Monning. “How are Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara Counties supposed to find the estimated $2.5 to $3 million that will be necessary to hold a special election? These counties are already facing a financial crisis, having already reduced services and laid-off employees.”
Schwarzenegger said the seat needs to be filled as soon as possible because the Legislature has big decisions to make this year.
Maldonado’s confirmation as lieutenant governor by the California Senate Monday fills a vacancy created when John Garamendi was elected to Congress and opens his district seat to a special election. The date will be determined by Gov.
Maldonado represents the 15 District that includes Morgan Hill and stretches from the southeast portion of Santa Clara County into Monterey, Santa Cruz and along the coast to the northern part of Santa Barbara County.
Democrats believe a consolidated election would produce a larger turnout that would give them an advantage in their effort to take a state Senate district where they enjoy a slight edge in voter registration. The district’s voters are 46.7 percent Democrat, 34.5 percent Republican and 19.6 percent decline to state.
