Sacramento legislator slated to assume leadership of Senate in November 2008.
One house is in order
Steinberg to replace Perata atop Senate
By Aurelio Rojas - arojas@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Friday, February 8, 2008
Sen. Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento was designated Thursday by his fellow Democrats to be the next president pro tem of the California Senate, beating out Sen. Alex Padilla, who conceded after the two had lunch.
Under a transition process established by Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, a formal vote will not be taken until Aug. 21 and Perata will continue as the Senate's leader until November.
When Steinberg, 48, takes the reins, he will become the first Sacramentan to hold the top leadership post in the Legislature's upper house since 1883.
During a Capitol news conference, the liberal lawmaker thanked his colleagues and showered Padilla with praise.
Steinberg, a former administrative law judge whose congeniality has won him many admirers in the Capitol, also emphasized that Perata is still the boss.
"I am not the pro tem, nor will I be until some time in November," said Steinberg, a seven-year veteran of the Legislature who began his career as a lawyer representing state employees. "I am a team player, and you will not see an inch distance between Sen. Perata and myself."
