Anthony Rendon officially ascends to Assembly Speaker after taking Oath of Office today
Historic moment for State of California and Latino Legislative Caucus
Leaders of both Houses of Legislature are Latino and Caucus members
SACRAMENTO – Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) was sworn in to office today as the 70th Speaker of the California State Assembly, and the fifth Latino Speaker in the state’s history.
“Mr. Rendon will be the Speaker for everybody. Not just for Latinos. Not just for the majority party. But for all Californians,” said Luis A. Alejo (D-Salinas), Chair of the Latino Caucus. “He will have the opportunity to serve as speaker longer than anybody since the honorable Willie Brown and have a significant and lasting influence on shaping the California of tomorrow. Speaker Rendon is a man of great personal integrity who came from humble beginnings and worked hard to achieve this honor. He has earned the respect of everyone he has worked with since coming into the Assembly in 2012, Republicans and Democrats alike. He successfully brought both sides of the aisle together to win overwhelming bipartisan support for the $7.5 billion Water Bond, which voters also approved by a wide margin.”
For the first time in California history, the leaders of both houses of the Legislature are Latino. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León took over leadership of the Senate in 2014. De León became the first Latino to serve as President of the Senate since 1883.
“This is an especially proud moment for the California Latino Legislative Caucus because for the first time in the state’s history both houses of the Legislature are led by Latinos and members of the Caucus,” Alejo added.
The four previous Latino Assembly Speakers, all Democrats, are:
Cruz M. Bustamante: Dec. 2 1996 to Feb. 26 1998.
Antonio Villaraigosa: Feb. 26, 1998 to April 13 2000.
Fabian Núñez: Feb. 9 2004 to May 13, 2008.
John Pérez: March 1, 2010 to May 12, 2014.
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Contact: Andrew Bird / Andrew.Bird@asm.ca.gov / (916) 319-2030