First African-American Woman Speaker

by Karl Kurtz

California Assembly Democrats have chosen Karen Bass, currently the majority leader, to be the next speaker of the Assembly.  Making the eminently safe assumptions that she is re-elected to the Legislature in November and that the Democrats maintain control of the Assembly, she will be the first female African-American to serve as speaker of a state legislature--but not the first African-American presiding officer regardless of gender.

One of her 10 opponents for speaker among Democrats, Assemblymember Fiona Ma, said of Bass, "She demonstrates a grace under pressure and a quiet competence that will serve the Assembly well."

Bass' selection as the next speaker closes out the cycle of new leadership selection in California as a result of the defeat of an initiative earlier this month that would have extended the terms of current leaders.

Update, February 29: Today brings a more thorough AP story on the designation of Karen Bass as the next Assembly speaker.