By Kathryn Reed

It’s possible Lake Tahoe will have a new assemblyman and state senator in a matter of months.

Ted Gaines, who currently represents the area in the Assembly, is running for the seat of the late state Sen. Dave Cox. Cox died in July at age 72.

Gaines, R-Roseville, is wrapping up his second term in the Assembly and will be on the Nov. 2 ballot seeking a third term.

Ted Gaines

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called for a special election for Jan. 4 to fill the remainder of Cox’s term. The primary to determine who appears on the Jan. 4 ballot is Nov. 2. The top vote-getters from each major party will battle it out in January.

Assemblyman Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, is also expected to run for Cox’s seat.

Three terms is the maximum anyone can serve per term limit regulations. State senators may serve two four-year terms.

Since California voters approved term limits 20 years ago it has been common for musical chairs to be played with electeds going from one chamber of the Legislature to the other for a possible 14-year stint in state politics.