State Capitol Spotlight

By Diana F. Morse
Team Leader and Content Manager, State Yellow Book

December 3, 2008

This edition of the State Yellow Book contains senior personnel and organizational changes that have taken place in the fifty states – as well as in the governments of the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands – between September and November 2008. Highlighted below are some items of interest.

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2008 Elections
The 2008 general election resulted in a great number of changes in the legislative and executive
branches of state government.

There was significant turnover in the makeup of state legislatures across the country. The election
resulted in over 1,270 newly-elected state representatives and senators. The Democrats gained control
of four legislatures - Delaware, Nevada, New York and Wisconsin – and are now in control of both
chambers in 27 states. Republicans remain in control of 14 state legislatures, the same number as
before the election. The Tennessee and Oklahoma legislatures turned Republican for the first time ever
this year. Eight states now have split legislative control – Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan,
Montana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The 2008 general election resulted in Democrats remaining in control of most state executive branches.
There are four newly-elected governors, two newly-elected lieutenant governors and over 20 newlyelected
constitutional officers. At press time, it is expected that there will be 29 Democrats and 21
Republicans serving as governor in January 2009. This statistic is likely to change if President-Elect
Obama appoints any governors to serve in his administration. The only gubernatorial party change
occurred in Missouri, where state Attorney General Jeremiah Nixon (D) was elected to replace outgoing
Governor Matt Blunt (R). The following is a biographical listing of all newly-elected governors and
their dates of inauguration:

New Governors

Jack A. Markell (D) Title: Governor of Delaware Date of Inauguration: January 20, 2009 Date of Birth: November 26, 1960 Education: Brown University BS 1982; University of Chicago MBA 1985 Home: Newark, DE Religion: Jewish Career: First Chicago Corporation; Consultant, McKinsey and Company, Inc.; Senior Management, Comcast Corporation; Senior Vice President, Corporation Development, Nextel Communications, Inc.; Founder, Delaware Money School; State Treasurer, State of Delaware, 1998-2009.

Jeremiah W. "Jay" Nixon (D) Title: Governor of Missouri Date of Inauguration: January 12, 2009 Date of Birth: February 13, 1956 Education: University of Missouri BA 1978; University of Missouri JD 1981 Home: De Soto Religion: Methodist Career: State Senator (D-MO, District 22), Missouri Senate, 1986-1992; Attorney General, State of Missouri, 1993-2009.

Beverly “Bev” Eaves Perdue (D) Title: Governor of North Carolina Date of Inauguration: January 10, 2009 Date of Birth: January 14, 1947 Education: University of Kentucky BA 1969; University of Florida MEd 1974; University of Florida PhD 1976 Home: New Bern Religion: Episcopalian Career: Geriatric Services Director, Craven County Medical Center; State Representative (D-NC), North Carolina House of Representatives, 1986-1990; State Senator (D-NC, District 3), North Carolina Senate, 1990-2000; President of the Senate, North Carolina Senate, 2001-2009; Lieutenant Governor, State of North Carolina, 2001-2009.

Luis G. Fortuño (R) Title: Governor of Puerto Rico Date of Inauguration: January 2, 2009 Date of Birth: October 31, 1960 Education: Georgetown University BSFS 1982; University of Virginia JD 1985 Home: Guaynabo Religion: Catholic Career: Partner, Correa, Collazo, Herrero, Jiménez & Fortuño; Executive Director, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, 1993-1997; Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 1994-1997; Vice Chair, Congressional Hispanic Conference, United States House of Representatives; Vice President, Republican Freshman Class, United States House of Representatives; U.S. Representative, Office of Representative Luis Fortuño, United States House of Representatives, 2005-2009.

Special Elections

Alabama
There is one vacancy in the Alabama Senate. State Senator Parker Griffith (D-District 7) has been
elected to U.S. Congress. He resigned his seat on November 20, 2008. A special election date has not
yet been determined to fill this legislative vacancy.

Louisiana
There is one vacancy in the Louisiana Senate. Former State Senator Derrick D.T. Shepherd (D-District
3) resigned his seat on October 10, 2008. A special election to fill this legislative vacancy will be held
on December 6, 2008.

Maine
There is one vacancy in the Maine House of Representatives. On December 3, 2008 State
Representative Janet Mills (D-District 89) was confirmed by the state legislature to be the next Attorney
General of Maine, effective January 5, 2009. A special election date has not yet been determined to fill
this legislative vacancy.

Massachusetts
There is one vacancy in the Massachusetts Senate. Former State Senator Dianne Wilkerson (D- Fourth
Middlesex) resigned her seat on November 19, 2008. A special election date has not yet been determined
to fill this legislative vacancy.

Texas
There is one vacancy in the Texas Senate. Former State Senator Kyle Janek (R-District 17) resigned his
seat on March 10, 2008. During the November 4 general election, no candidate received a majority of
the votes, as mandated by state law. A special runoff election to fill this legislative vacancy will be held
on December 16, 2008.

Virginia
There is one vacancy in the Virginia House of Delegates. Former Delegate Terrie L. Suit (R-District 81)
resigned her seat on September 9, 2008. A special election to fill this legislative vacancy will be held on
January 6, 2009.

Executive Highlights

Arizona
On December 1, 2008 President-Elect Obama nominated Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) to be Secretary of
the United States Department of Homeland Security. Upon Senate confirmation Gov. Napolitano will
tender her resignation as Governor of Arizona. At that time, Secretary of State Janice Brewer (R) will
become the Governor of Arizona for the remainder of Gov. Napolitano's term, as mandated by state law.
Brewer will then appoint a new Secretary of State for the state of Arizona.

Delaware
Governor-Elect Jack Markell (D) announced that Dennis Rochford will serve as his Chief of Staff.

Illinois
On December 9, 2008, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested by the
FBI on multiple corruption charges. If Gov. Blagojevich vacates the position of Governor of Illinois, Lt.
Gov. Pat Quinn will serve the remainder of Blagojevich’s term, as mandated by state law.

Missouri
Governor-Elect Jeremiah W. "Jay" Nixon (D) named John R. Watson to serve as his Chief of Staff.
Governor-Elect Nixon also announced that Ted Ardini will serve as Counsel to the Governor.
Governor-Elect Nixon announced his intention to appoint Kevin L. Simmons to serve as Commissioner
of the Missouri Office of Administration.

New Mexico
On December 3, 2008 President-Elect Obama nominated Gov. Bill Richardson (D) to be Secretary of
the United States Department of Commerce. Upon Senate confirmation Gov. Richardson will resign
as Governor of New Mexico. At that time, Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish (D) will become the
Governor of New Mexico for the remainder of Gov. Richardson’s term, as mandated by state law.
Denish will then appoint a new Lieutenant Governor for the state of New Mexico.

North Carolina
Governor-Elect Beverly Perdue (D) announced that Zach Ambrose will serve as her Chief of Staff.

Pennsylvania
Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll died on November 12, 2008. Senate President Pro Tem
Joseph Scarnati III is now serving as President of the Senate and Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.

Puerto Rico
Governor-Elect Luis Fortuño (R) announced his intention to appoint Kenneth McClintock

Party Affiliation Statistics (as of December 3, 2008)

The Spring 2009 edition of the State Yellow Book will be published in March 2009. As always, the staff
of the State Yellow Book extend our sincere thanks to the hundreds of government employees who have
consistently taken time out of their busy schedules to provide us with accurate and timely information,
enabling the State Yellow Book to remain as current as possible. We always welcome your comments
and suggestions on improving the State Yellow Book. We can be reached by phone
(202)347-7757, by fax at (202) 628-3430, and by email at info@leadershipdirectories.com.