Lieutenant governor post still eyed by two GOP state senators

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

Two Republican state Senators termed out in 2010 have affirmed they are still interested in what will likely be an open lieutenant governor position that year.

Spokesmen for both Sens. Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) and Jeff Denham (R-Atwater) said they both have maintained active campaign accounts to run for the seat, currently held by Democrat John Garamendi, who is running for governor in 2010.

Aanestad spokesman Bill Bird said the senator has considerable support among top Republicans, and is working to establish his name in Southern California, where he’s less well known.

“It’s about getting the word out outside his district,” Bird said. He added, “He’s still exploring his options.”

Kevin Spillane, a spokesman for Denham’s political activities, said Tuesday that Denham still plans to seek the seat.

Denham’s visibility rose earlier this year when outgoing state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) targeted him in an ultimately unsuccessful recall effort.

Seven Republicans so far have filed a statement of intent to run for lieutenant governor in 2010, though one, former state Assemblyman and Sen. Tim Leslie (R-Tahoe City), has terminated his account.

Last week, former state senator and now-U.S. Rep.-elect Tom McClintock said he would not run for the job, though he had filed a statement of intent to do so months earlier.

McClintock’s account for the seat remained open Tuesday, though there were no new donations to it in several months.

State Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter), who is also termed out in 2010, is the only Democratic candidate in the field so far.

Aanestad spokesman Bill Bird said the senator has considerable support among top Republicans, and is working to establish his name in Southern California, where he's less well known.

"It's about getting the word out outside his district," Bird said. He added, "He's still exploring his options."

Kevin Spillane, a spokesman for Denham's political activities, said Tuesday that Denham still plans to seek the seat.

Denham's visibility rose earlier this year when outgoing state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) targeted him in an ultimately unsuccessful recall effort.

Seven Republicans so far have filed a statement of intent to run for lieutenant governor in 2010, though one, former state Assemblyman and Sen. Tim Leslie (R-Tahoe City), has terminated his account.

Last week, former state senator and now-U.S. Rep.-elect Tom McClintock said he would not run for the job, though he had filed a statement of intent to do so months earlier.

McClintock's account for the seat remained open Tuesday, though there were no new donations to it in several months.

State Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter), who is also termed out in 2010, is the only Democratic candidate in the field so far.

Ben van der Meer is a PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter and can be reached via email at noreply@politicker.com.

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