Richard Costigan, who has served admirably as Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggers top point person with the State Legislature is leaving his Deputy Chief of Staff post and going into the private sector, where we hear he is going to work for the prominent, well heeled PR/Law firm of McKenna, Long and Aldridge (then again the last time we ‘heard’ where he was going, not only was he not going there, he wasn’t going anywhere). Nevertheless, the source is credible. We here at the FlashReport wish Richard the best of luck — we have no idea how anyone could stand up to the rigors of that post under quasi-normal circumstances, let alone the absolute craziness that he has had to endure.
I caught up to Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman and asked him to comment on Costigan’s departure. He had this to say: "Richard did an excellent job in trying to push the Republican agenda and sometimes difficult situations. We wish him the best luck in his new endeavors."
Of course, Richard’s departure sparks the question of who will be hired to fill this critical role in the Governor’s administration. The position, always important for any Governor, becomes especially so given the extremely complex job ahead as the Governor seeks to forge new ground in the upcoming legislative session.
Needless to say, the FR has already gotten peppered with e-mails, many concerned that Richard’s departure will mean that a close confidant of the Governor who understands and believes in Republican principles is no longer in this key spot. Will the Governor replace him with a Republican? Or will it now be filled with a Democrat given the Governor’s intense desire to deal-strike with the majority party? It is not clear.
But we urging the Governor to invite someone else into this position who, like Richard, will be sure to make sure that the values, ideas and principles of the Party of Lincoln are considered and articulated in those "Horseshoe" discussions.
The FR wishes Richard well, and we hope that he will be able to transition in a replacement who, like Richard, voted for the entire Republican down-ticket last week’s election!
Of course, this is probably the first of several personnel changes that will take place as the Governor prepares to enter his second term.
November 16th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Richard certainly earned his spurs in the horseshoe of the Governor’s office. He will do well wherever he ends up. The Governor made a good decision in choosing him as Deputy Chief of Staff.
November 16th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I join all in wishing Richard the best and congratulating him on a job well done.
I certainly hope the Governor gives serious consideration to Cynthia Bryant for the position. She’s top notch.