Posted on 11/16/2006 8:48:15 AM PST by calcowgirl
SACRAMENTO — Two of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's prominent aides are leaving the administration, the first in what is expected to be a string of departures as the governor, following his reelection victory last week, retools his staff.
Schwarzenegger aides confirmed Wednesday that Alan D. Bersin, the governor's education advisor, is stepping down, as is Richard Costigan, a senior aide in charge of pushing the governor's agenda through the Legislature.
Costigan, who also advises Schwarzenegger on which bills to sign or veto, is taking a job in the Sacramento office of the law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge.
One of the most visible figures in Schwarzenegger's operation, Costigan darted among legislative offices in the Capitol in a bid to sway votes for the governor's plans. An original member of Schwarzenegger's team, he survived a shake-up a year ago, when Schwarzenegger, with his job approval rating plunging, brought in Democratic Chief of Staff Susan Kennedy to help position him for his reelection campaign.
Costigan had been undecided about his future before the Nov. 7 election. In recent weeks, he quietly submitted his resignation to the governor and withdrew it, resubmitting it Wednesday, according to administration officials. No successor has yet been named, officials said.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
(snip)Costigan's depature was expected and is the first of potentially several changes in the horseshoe as Schwarzenegger begins his second term. Others expected to leave include press secretary Margita Thompson, cabinet secretary Fred Aguiar, and senior advisor Bonnie Reiss. The likely-to-depart include two Republicans and one liberal Democrat, for those keeping track of Schwarzenegger's electic inner circle.
Definitely staying: chief of staff Susan Kennedy, communications director Adam Mendelsohn and Daniel Zingale, who is Maria Shriver's chief of staff and the lead architect of the governor's efforts to tackle health care next year.
It was clear to anyone who'd been at a GOP victory party before that the election-night gathering at the Beverly Hilton was a bit out of the ordinary. And we're not just talking about the presence of Tom Arnold and Rob Lowe on stage, either. The room was crawling with Democrats, many of them are familiar faces in the current Republican administration: Susan Kennedy, Daniel Zingale, Maria Shriver, etc.But there were also some new faces. Among them Ross LaJeunesse, the former chief of staff to Steve Westly. More importantly, LaJeunesse has worked for both of the Kennedys in Schwarzenegger's life: Teddy and Susan. Westly and Schwarzenegger sources say LaJeunesse is expected to be the latest Democrat to join the administration for the second term.
Meanwhile, a pair of GOP stalwarts are expected to be leaving. The oft-rumored departure of Legislative Secretary Richard Costigan is now confirmed as Costigan heads to the law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge. Also said to be on his way out is Fred Aguiar, the gov's cabinet secretary. Maybe LaJeunesse could fill one of those gigs.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Costigan was liaison to Republican offices. I guess they don't need him any more. There are only one or two solid Republicans left in the Governor's office. The transition is almost complete.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Hey... when you can get homosexual aides trained by Teddy Kennedy, what more do you need? /s
Aguiar was another Republican, right?
Seeing Bonnie Reiss on the exit list is good news.
Reiss is a mo? I guess she has the tough-voice, but I never guesed.
sources say LaJeunesse is expected to be the latest Democrat to join the administration
BTW there isn't a republican party in Kaleeforneeah. The voters that thought they were (R)s made sure of this with their votes for this fraud. Doncha just luv this compromising BS? When he screws you all & then runs for senate yea put him in. Maybe Doofus Davis could try a (R) run. Why not. The republican party can not recover for a generation because this fraud made sure of that.
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