After a lengthy search that developed political overtones, the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California on Tuesday named the agency’s own general counsel, Jeff Kightlinger, as its 13th general manager.

Kightlinger, an 11-year veteran of the MWD, beat out several other contestants for the post, including former state Assemblyman Richard Katz. He fills the vacancy left by Dennis Underwood, who passed away on Nov. 3.

Last week, press reports surfaced that Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa conducted an intense behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign on Katz’ behalf. That sparked speculation that if named, Katz would revive a plan by private water company Cadiz Inc. to store water underneath Mojave Desert property owned by Cadiz. Villaraigosa has not voiced support for the project, but critics have cited contributions made by Cadiz to Villaraigosa as a possible reason for his lobbying effort. Citing environmental concerns, the MWD board rejected the $150 million proposal in 2002.

A cooperative of 26 member agencies, the Metropolitan Water District is the wholesale water agency for Southern California, providing more than half of the water used by the region’s 18 million residents.

Over the next few years, the MWD faces difficult negotiations over how much water should be transported south from the San Francisco Bay-Sacramento River Delta region and from the Colorado River. The agency is also trying to buy up water rights from farmers throughout the state to head off the prospect of future water shortages. As general counsel since 2002, Kightlinger has played a role in all these negotiations.

The MWD also faces a potential strike from its union employees.