Something I don't understand re: the California recall

[NightTrain]

OK, so Ah-nold gets to be governor. That I can grasp. But Cruz Bustamante gets to remain lieutenant governor? How did that happen?
I had assumed that Schwarzenegger would select his own lieutenant governor, along with everyone else in his administration.

How does Bustamante get to keep his job? For that matter, how much influence will he really have on the new governor?

Can somebody with a knowledge of California electoral law please clear this matter up for me (a New England Yankee feebly ignorant of most things Californian)? Thanks!

[Le Taz Hot]

1. The Governor and Lt. Governor

are seperate offices and they run seperate campaigns. California has had a LONG history of having the Governor from one party and Lt. Governor from another (Davis was Wilson's Lt. Governor). All offices stay the same.

Ahnold, is alone -- other than Ken Lay, Karl Rove and Chimpboy. He's got Dems. in Lt. Gov., Treasury, A.G. and a Democratic legislature. Can we say "Lame duck?"

[disenfranchised]

2. The Lt. Governor is elected in a separate election than the Governor.

It is not an appointed position unless the Lt. Governor assumes the Governor's office, then he/she selects a new lieutenant.

[disenfranchised]

3. sorry for double posting. i guess i type too slow.

[NightTrain]

4. Verrrry interesting....

Here in Connecticut, when you run for governor, you pick a running mate for lieutenant governor, and you both work together in the hopes of getting the gubernatorial candidate elected.

While I've always known that election laws vary from state to state, I didn't realize what you told me about California. I wonder how many other states do it your way, too?