The story is here. Blog readers will recall that putting the top two primary on next spring’s CA ballot was the price to get Maldonado’s vote for a package of budget reforms (a package that the voters later voted down, by the way, leaving the top two primary as perhaps the most significant change to come from the package of proposed reforms).
It is an interesting political calculation for Democrats in the state legislature whether to vote to confirm him. On the one hand, it would give Maldonado a leg up in running for lt. governor in the next election. On the other hand, perhaps if he leaves the district would elect a Democrat, giving Democrats almost the votes they need to overcome Republican budget resistance. My guess is that Dems. will jump at the chance for another Democratic seat in the state Senate.