The behind-the-scenes battle over who will be the next speaker of the Assembly is heating up this week, with sources saying a vote on who will succeed Speaker Karen Bass could be coming up soon.
A handful of members were said to be jockeying for the spot, but it appears the pool of contenders has been whittled down to two Democrats from Los Angeles.
Those left standing are Assemblyman Kevin de León of the 45th District, a friend from way back of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. De Leon's chief rival is Assemblyman John Pérez, the rookie from the 46th District, who is Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's cousin.
Pérez's supporters say the rookie from the 46th District may have enough votes already to snag the support of a majority of Assembly Democrats, a first step toward a full Assembly vote.
"I think John's got them," said Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael. "A number of us have been on the phone and in touch with each other beginning before Thanksgiving."
Huffman said Pérez, a University of California at Berkeley grad, is often identified as a labor union champion who has defended immigrant workers' rights. But Huffman said Pérez is also respected by other core Democratic Party constituencies - including environmentalists and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.
Pérez is the first openly gay Latino legislator in California. And if he were Speaker, he'd be the first openly gay Speaker.
But Pérez, who members say was recently drafted into the mix, might not have it in the bag. Capitol Weekly reported yesterday, de León has told members that he has 22 votes in his corner.
More insight on where the votes are lining up could come today, after the Assembly's Latino Caucus holds a morning meeting, where members are expected to discuss the candidates vying for the post.
We're still waiting for calls back from de León's and Pérez's offices, but will keep you posted on developments as they occur.
In other lower house action on tap, the Assembly has plans to convene a check-in session for the first reading of its version of legislation aimed at ensuring California schools are eligible for "Race to the Top" federal stimulus funds.
The Assembly Education Committee will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 4202 for its final informational hearing on the application guidelines for states vying for a piece of the $4.35 billion in federal stimulus funds up for grabs. Click here to read the hearing agenda.
The committee is scheduled to meet again next Wednesday to vote on "Race to the Top" legislation, with floor votes expected to take place later that week.
Notice a shortage of Republican lawmakers roaming the Capitol halls as the week winds down?
GOP members from the Assembly and the Senate are gathering in Santa Barbara today to kick off their annual three-day joint policy summit.
Jennifer Gibbons, a spokeswoman for Assembly Republican leader Sam Blakeslee, said the discussions will be focused on the budget, but that other topics would include government and economic reforms.
BIRTHDAY: Assemblyman Danny Gilmore, R-Hanford, turns 60 today.
Susan Ferriss contributed to this report.
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