Interest groups in Sacramento have a long history of awarding "legislator of the year" awards to lawmakers who just happen to have a tough campaign coming up. It's a good way to solidify a friendly relationship, and it gives the legislator something he or she can tout in the campaign.

On Monday, the Consumer Federation of California took this tradition to a new level. It gave former Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara -- who hasn't been in the Legislature for four years -- its "Consumer Champion of 2008" award.

The group's rationale was that Jackson, as head of an online advocacy group called Speak Out California, did a bang-up job of "educating voters about important state legislative matters affecting the rights of consumers." The Consumer Federation also noted that Jackson, during her years as a lawmaker, carried some significant financial privacy legislation backed by the group.

But the true reason for singling out Jackson was noted in the last paragraph of the Consumer Federation's press release: "She will be the Democratic nominee to replace term-limited state Sen. Tom McClintock."

The award gives Jackson something current to place on her resume that she will present to voters in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.