Assembly power struggle settled with new speaker

Democrats in the California Assembly settled a months-long intraparty power struggle Thursday night, when legislators emerged from a heated caucus meeting with a succession plan in hand for who will lead them as speaker.

Speaker Anthony Rendon, DLakewood (Los Angeles County), agreed to leave the top post at the end of June and pass the baton onto Assembly Member Robert Rivas, D-Hollister (San Benito County). Rivas declared back in May that he had the votes to be the next speaker, but Rendon waged an all-out battle to keep his job as long as possible.

Now that the leadership fight appears settled, could the outcome actually effect state policy in tangible ways that voters would notice?

In terms of ideology, there is little daylight between Rendon and Rivas. Both fall squarely within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party; the leftwing Courage Campaign gives both legislators an “A+” rating on its legislative scorecard.

But while there aren’t stark differences in their voting records, Rivas ascension as speaker-designee could influence policymaking in other ways. Here are three major factors to watch: Geographic shift: Watch for bills affecting rural parts of the state, particularly farming communities, to get more attention while the influence of the powerful L.A. delegation could dwindle slightly.

Rivas would be the first legislative leader in modern times to hail from a rural area. He grew up in farmworker housing in Paicines (San Benito County), where he was raised by a single mother and his grandparents, Mexican immigrants. His district includes a large swath of the Central Coast, one of the nation’s most productive regions for growing leafy greens.

Rivas’ speakership could elevate legislation to respond to problems affecting agricultural areas, such as the state’s drought or working conditions for farm laborers — issues he has championed as a legislator.

Meanwhile, the influence of a powerful group of L.A. legislators could wane with Rendon’s retirement. Some of his most powerful allies hail from the region and hold top committee posts they can leverage to the region’s benefit.

One pointed example of the L.A. delegation’s largess under Rendon: Legislators from the area stalled approval of $4.2 billion in bonds for California’s high-speed rail project for almost two years as they questioned its direction and pushed for funding for local projects that could eventually connect to the rail system. New leadership class: Rivas’ rise to power speaks to not just to his political congeniality and sway, but the influence of a cadre of lieutenants who helped him secure support.

Watch for this new class of Assembly leaders, many of whom hail from Northern California and the Bay Area, to play an important role in shaping the Assembly’s direction in the coming years. Many are likely to snag powerful committee gavels and caucus posts (though legislators said Rendon and Rivas have a power-sharing agreement for next year).

From the Bay Area, some of Rivas’ most vocal boosters included Assembly Members Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland; Mia Bonta, D-Alameda; Matt Haney, D-San Francisco; and Jim Wood, D-Santa Rosa.

About one third of the Legislature will be new next year, due to term limits and a rash of retirements after redistricting scrambled political boundaries. About half of legislators will be new by 2024, due to term limits.

Many Rendon loyalists are part of the outgoing class of legislators. Those who aided Rivas will likely be at the forefront of the next generation of Assembly leaders.

Different styles: As speaker, Rendon was known for often taking a hands-off approach and allowing committee chairs to decide the fate of major bills. He also rarely authored bills himself.

Rivas supporters say they expect him to take a more hands-on approach that could mitigate the fiefdoms committee chairs have enjoyed under Rendon. Rivas could also be more assertive in carrying his own bills.

Threats to Rendon’s leadership came after several high-profile clashes with caucus members. Last fall, he abruptly removed Assembly Member Evan Low, D-San Jose, as chair of a powerful committee after he was rumored to be a possible contender to oust him. Rendon also drew fire in 2020 and apologized to Wicks after he denied her request for a proxy vote and she brought her newborn daughter to the Assembly floor during the final day of session.

Rivas’ planned rise to speaker gives the Democratic caucus a chance to potentially put bitter internal divisions behind them, and numerous Assembly members have stressed unity in congratulating him in tweets.

“I look forward to working with Speaker Rendon to ensure this is a seamless and productive transition,” Rivas said in a statement. “The 40 million California residents we represent deserve nothing less.”