So are you wondering who is rumored to be running for what?

Here's what we have on the political grapevine and the what happens if scenarios...

Lt. Gov's Seat may be opening up...

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi (D) is running for CD-10 in Nov 3, 2009 election against David Harmber (R) in heavily Dem district.  If he wins that means Gov. Schwarzenegger appoints a successor that must be confirmed by a majority of both the CA Assembly and the Senate.  That means no hard core Republican appointments.  So what's the grapevine say about which squishing Republicans might be up for the job?  Top on the list might be Schwarzenegger tax raising cohorts state Assemblyman Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), state Assemblyman Mike Villines (R-Clovis), and state Senator Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto).  Trick here is finding someone who the Assembly & Senate Dems are not going to reject because they fear them running and winning the Lt. Gov.'s spot in 2010. (see more below on who may run for Lt. Gov. in 2010).  Another rumored name is former Democratic Speaker Robert Hertzberg (co-chair of California Forward).

California Governor 2010 Likely Candidates
(State Reg as of 5/4/09: R:31%, D:45%, DTS:20%)

• Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner (R) - He is certainly in.
• Meg Whitman (R) - She is certainly in.
• Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) - He is certainly in too, but has not declared as such.
• San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome (D) -- He declared in Oct 2009 that he is now not running.

 California Lt. Governor 2010 Likely Candidates
(State Reg as of 5/4/09: R:31%, D:45%, DTS:20%)

• Dean Florez (D-Shafter)
• Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach).  Currently state Senator from 27th SD, elected in Nov 2004 following 6 years in CA state Assembly after six years on Long Beach City Council. Chairs Senate Environmental Quality Committee as well as the Select Committee on California Ports.

Congressional District CD36 (District Reg as of 5/4/09: R:28%, D:46%, DTS:22%)

• Peter Kesterson (R).  Financial Advisor, President Beach Cities Republican Club, Lead 1000's of grassroots volunteers in the 2008 Presidential Campaign at the Torrance HQ.  Resident of Redondo Beach and former resident of Hermosa Beach.
• Mattie Fein (R).  Lives in Washington DC but got a place in Venice to claim district residency for election purposes.  Wife of Harvard lawyer who wanted to impeach President Bush and Dick Cheney.
• Jane Harman (R).  Lives in Washington DC but has a place in Venice to claim district residency for election purposes.