The Associated Press

BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Gov.-elect Kathleen Blanco, who campaigned to "put a new face on government," said Saturday that she supports two black women to serve in the second most powerful leadership posts in the state Legislature.

Sen. Diana Bajoie of New Orleans would become the first black woman to serve as Senate president pro tempore; Rep. Sharon Weston Broome of Baton Rouge would become the first woman as speaker pro tempore of the House of Representatives.

"Diana and Sharon are skilled legislators who are widely admired and respected by their colleagues," Blanco told a Black Legislative Caucus breakfast in New Orleans. "I know that they will be effective advocates for the kind of change the voters endorsed on Nov. 15.

Bajoie, 55, was the first black woman elected to the state Senate. She served in the state House beginning in 1976 and is one of the longest serving members of the Legislature.

Broome, 47, is a public relations manager for Georgia Gulf, an Atlanta-based chemical and plastics manufacturer, who was elected to the House in 1992. She was a loyal supporter of Blanco throughout her runoff.

The pro tempore posts mainly are ceremonial. The House speaker and Senate president, the most powerful positions in the Legislature, dole out members' committee assignments.

Both chambers of the Legislature elect their leaders and pro tems, but the governor historically has had a heavy hand in the selection process.

Blanco's choice for Senate president, Don Hines, a Democrat, to replace Republican John Hainkel has drawn criticism from many of Hainkel's backers, warning that Blanco was too partisan. They have predicted the issue would be decided in a close vote on the Senate floor.

Most House members said they are pleased with her choice for speaker, Joe Salter, D-Florien.

Blanco made Saturday's announcement at a Black Legislative Caucus luncheon before the kickoff of the Bayou Classic football game between Grambling State and Southern universities at the Louisiana Superdome.