Maldonado Is a Bipartisan Leader Who Is Committed to Jobs and the Economy

(February 11, 2010) As I wrote in this column last week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has selected Republican state Senator Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria to fill the vacant position of Lieutenant Governor. Over the last several days, the Legislature has held hearings on the nomination and it now appears they are set to cast final votes. Once again, I’d like to underscore the fact that Senator Maldonado’s qualifications make him an excellent candidate for lieutenant governor and the Legislature should vote to confirm him. Not only is it in the best interests of California to confirm Senator Maldonado as lieutenant governor; it would be a black mark against our state if he is not confirmed for purely political reasons. 

I have known and worked with Senator Maldonado since he was first elected to the Legislature in 1998. He’s ethical. He’s an informed decision maker. He’s a leader. Importantly, Senator Maldonado also understands the realities of doing business here. He has real life experience in growing a small business into a major agricultural operation that employs more than 250 people and ships produce around the world.  

The senator also has extensive experience in the operations of government, starting with his election to the Santa Maria City Council at age 26. Maldonado ran for office after slogging through the city’s bureaucracy for months when the family farm applied for a building permit to construct a new 35,000 square-foot cooling facility. Two years after his election to city council, voters elected Maldonado mayor of the city rather than the incumbent and a former mayor. In 1998, Maldonado was elected to the California Assembly. District voters re-elected him in both 2000 and 2002, then sent him on to the Senate in 2004.

During Maldonado’s time in the Legislature, he has consistently supported jobs-friendly policies and questioned costly mandates on employers. He also has been a strong supporter of government reforms. 

There is a lot of talk these days in the Capitol about “jobs, jobs, jobs.”  For some, this is a new refrain as the realities of this difficult economy have taken hold.  For others – like Abel Maldonado – jobs and the economy have consistently been a top priority. Throughout his career, we have counted on Senator Maldonado's leadership in working to protect our job climate and enhance California’s competitiveness. 

Senator Maldonado is more than qualified for the position of lieutenant governor. Over the years, he has become known for developing bipartisan solutions to critical issues facing California. There is no question that California needs this kind of leadership in the lieutenant governor's office. The Legislature should vote to confirm him now so we can focus on getting our economy back on track and employing more Californians.    

Allan Zaremberg is president and chief executive officer of the California Chamber of Commerce.