Who could it be now?

With Gov. Kathleen Sebelius expected to be named Obama's HHS cabinet member, who will be chosen to take over as lieutenant governor? What do you think?

http://www.cjonline.com/stories/030209/sta_400092273.shtml
Parkinson successor an 'important appointment'
By Rick Dean
The Capital-Journal
Published Monday, March 02, 2009

It could be little more than a two-year temp job, one with built-in lame-duck status. It could be a springboard into the Kansas governor's office — or possibly even a seat in the U.S. Senate.

The job in question is the Kansas lieutenant governor's position, a spot that will become vacant if Gov. Kathleen Sebelius becomes President Barack Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services.
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File Photograph / The Capital-Journal

Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, who would take over Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' position if she is confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, will have the duty of appointing his own replacement. It is a position that could be a springboard to more important roles.

THE NEXT IN LINE?

Kansas Democrats are considering potential candidates to replace Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson should he be elevated to the governor's office.

Chris Biggs — Former Securities Commissioner waged tightly contested attorney general race against Phill Kline

Paul Davis — House minority leader is a reluctant candidate, but his name is mentioned often

Jill Docking — Wichita investment broker and Board of Regents member heightened statewide name recognition in 1996 race for U.S. Senate

Raj Goyle — Wichita lawyer and state representative could contend for any number of offices, including Congress

Dennis McKinney — Greensburg hero and former House Democratic leader currently has a state office after appointment to replace U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins as state treasurer

John Moore — Retired aircraft industry executive was lieutenant governor in Sebelius' first administration and has expressed a desire to run for governor

Jack Reardon — Kansas City, Kan., mayor had a strong hand in economic resurgence of Wyandotte County

Should Sebelius survive the tough congressional confirmation process and Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson succeeds her as the state's chief executive, a political door will open for Parkinson's replacement.

How far that door opens will depend on the ambition of both Parkinson and the person he chooses to replace him.

Parkinson announced last December that he wouldn't run for governor in 2010. Should he remain firm in that commitment, his replacement could have the opportunity to become the Democrats' standard-bearer for any number of prominent jobs.

"It's an extremely important appointment," said Joe Aistrup, a professor of political science at Kansas State University.

"The next lieutenant governor could become the front-runner for the Democrat gubernatorial nomination should (Parkinson) choose not to run himself. And if he does run — and I'm not yet convinced that he won't — he'll need a strong running mate who can help him in a tough race, likely against (U.S. senator) Sam Brownback.

"So yes, this will be a very important pick. Not just for Parkinson, but for Kansas Democrats."

At the same time, Parkinson's prospective replacement would take the job knowing that no Democrat governor in Kansas history has ever been succeeded by anyone other than a Republican, noted Bob Beatty, professor of political science at Washburn University.

"The odds are stacked against another Democrat trying to following a two-term Democratic governor, even a popular one," Beatty said.

"Sebelius thought the best chance of overcoming that was to give her lieutenant governor four years to go around the state talking about energy policy, getting his name out in front of people, give him a fighting chance. That plan was going along nicely until (Parkinson) took himself out of the race.

"The Democrats have got to get something from this incumbency," Beatty added. "Because as it stands now, they'll have nothing."

That could change, the political scientists say, if Parkinson appoints a replacement with the political fire in the belly to make the best of the exposure gained between now and 2010.

"The next lieutenant governor, if they're an ambitious politican, becomes a candidate for offices ranging from secretary of state to United States senator," Aistrup said. "That individual can go out and solicit contributions, put together a credible campaign staff — do all the things necessary to run an effective campaign in 2010 or later."

Added Beatty: "A new lieutenant governor will know the odds are long of winning the governor's office in 2010. But, they could run for another state office and start setting themselves up for 2014. Remember, the last two Democrat governors came from state offices.

"But they have to find somebody who is passionate about becoming governor, who wants the job with the intensity of the Republicans who are out there now." Beatty added. "The longer they go without candidates for governor, secretary of state, U.S. Senator, the tougher it will be."

Kansas Democrats could have one other option after a Parkinson administration, Aistrup added. That is if the incumbent governor, having gotten a taste, changes his mind.

"If he determines that he does want to run for governor, I think you'll see Democrats invest more in the guy," he said. "But right now they don't have the loyalty that they had in Sebelius."

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