LGBT POV

It’s official. The California Democratic Caucus just announced that they voted unanimously to support Assemblymember John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) to serve as the next Speaker of the Assembly. A floor vote is expected when the Assembly reconvenes in January.

Perez is the first openly gay person to be elected Speaker.

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement:

“The Assembly Democratic caucus has made me proud many times in the past 18 months and today is one of those times.  First by the high caliber of the Speaker candidates we had, especially the final two, John Pérez and Kevin de León, and second by the strength our caucus has shown in coming together and uniting behind one of those candidates, the next Speaker of the Assembly, John Pérez.  Under his leadership and the continued leadership of Assemblymember De León and his supporters I look forward to another year of being made proud by my colleagues as we work to improve the quality of life for the people of California.”

Assemblymember John A. Pérez thanked his Assembly colleagues for the honor:

“I want to thank the Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus for the faith they have placed in me. It is a humbling privilege. I will work every day to justify that faith and to earn the enormous honor of having been drafted to serve as Speaker. The other candidates for Speaker, especially Assemblymember Kevin de León, have all shown great leadership for the Assembly and for this state and they have my great respect.  As Speaker, I will look forward to working with a united Democratic caucus as we continue tackling our number one priority—helping the state recover from the recession and helping the California families who have been hit so hard by it.”

Assemblymember Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) added:

“Today, I was proud to stand and nominate my friend and colleague John Pérez to serve as Speaker of the California Assembly.  I did so deeply thankful for the strong support and encouragement I have received from members of our caucus, and also mindful of the example of one of the great inspirations of my life and many others–Rosa Parks.  Mrs. Parks showed us you didn’t have to have a particular office or title to effect great change. I am proud to be a member of the California State Assembly and I will continue working hard, with my colleagues and with Speaker Pérez, to bring about real change for the people of my district and all the people of California.”

The Sacramento Bee reports that

“Perez walked arm-in-arm from the caucus meeting with current Assmbly Speaker Karen Bass and Kevin de Leon, a Los Angeles Democrat who had fought fiercely for the job but ultimately bowed out and formally nominated Perez before today’s voice vote.

Perez said it was an “incredibly moving experience to have the unanimous support of my colleagues.”

Now finishing his first year in the Legislature, Perez was asked if he was ready to lead the Assembly in the middle of his first term.

“I think it’s a big task,” he said. “It’s a task that’s not just laid on one person, it’s laid on the Assembly collectively. And I think with the support of all my colleagues, I’m absolutely up to it.”

De Leon applauded Perez, characterizing the speakership fight as a “spirited contest, without a doubt” — but one involving members of a political family that must come together once consensus emerges. “This is what you’re witnessing,” he said.

The decision followed a morning of smaller private meetings in which Perez, de Leon and a core group of the latter’s supporters discussed how to go forward after a bitter speakership fight.

[snip]

Republicans said that they differ markedly in political ideology from either Perez or de Leon, both labor-backed Democrats, so the selection of one over the other makes no substantive difference in prospects for GOP legislation.

Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia, said Perez has demonstrated a “great deal of integrity and steady handedness” and that Republicans must find a way to work with whomever Democrats choose because they hold 51 of the 80 seats.

“Candidly, what choice do we have?” Adams said.

The Courage Campaign’s Rick Jacobs is one of the first to offer congratulations:

“The Courage Campaign is delighted that the Democratic caucus in the California Assembly united in supporting John A. Perez as its next Speaker. They’ve chosen a true progressive who will lead our state during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’re proud that he’s the first openly gay leader of a legislature in U.S. history and we’re looking forward to working closely with Assemblymember Perez to help build a more progressive California.”

Geoff Kors, Executive Director, Equality California:

“Equality California congratulates Assemblymember Pérez on gaining the support of the Democratic Caucus to become Speaker of the Assembly, a truly historic opportunity for our state. He will be an outstanding steward for California as Speaker, ably guiding our state through the many challenges that lie ahead. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Assemblymember Pérez whose steadfast commitment to justice has resulted in significant gains not only for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community members but for all Californians.”

Senator John Burton, Chairman of the California Democratic Party:

“The California Democratic Party congratulates Assemblymember John Perez on his historic election as the next Speaker of the California Assembly.  Speaker-Elect Perez brings with him a long history of service to labor and community organizations.  As the first openly gay legislator to hold this office, Speaker Perez will continue to fight for working families, health care, quality education and marriage equality for all.

I also wish to thank Speaker Bass for her service over the last two years during an especially difficult period.”

Assemblymember Pedro Nava from the 35th District, who is running to be Attorney General, just called to say:

California got it right today. This is great news. John’s going to be a wonderful speaker and a great ambassador for all the people.

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said:

“We congratulate the selection of Assemblyman Pérez as the new Speaker of the House for the great state of California. John’s selection is a testament to his strong leadership after just joining the Assembly in the 2008 election.  He is a role model for young people in his Los Angeles district and now for his state and country as the first openly-gay man to hold the Assembly’s top spot.  We look forward to working with him as California continues to be an important state in our national fight for equality.”

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger just issued this statement:

“Assemblymember John Pérez is an outstanding public servant to the Californians in his district and I congratulate him on his election as the next speaker of the California State Assembly. This is a historic day in our state’s representative democracy and I look forward to working with the Assemblymember in his new role, as well as the entire Assembly, in a bipartisan manner to rebuild our economy and address the critical issues facing our state.

“Speaker Karen Bass has been a tremendous leader. She and I have worked together to navigate our state through the worst economic recession in recent history and I extend my sincere gratitude to her for her service and dedication to improving the lives of all Californians.”

Openly gay state Sen. Christine Kehoe just released this statement:

“The unanimous vote today by the Assembly Democratic Caucus to select openly gay Assemblymember John Perez to serve as the next Speaker of the Assembly is a remarkable moment for the LGBT community. John is making history and making us proud.

Assemblymember Perez is committed to improving the quality of life of all Californians.  His selection also illustrates that sexual orientation in California is no longer the impediment it may have once been toward achieving political influence, and that is a great marker of our state’s progress.”

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Eric C. Bauman congratulated Perez, who also happens to be Bauman’s best friend:

“I could not be more proud of John today. He has all of the qualities that make for a great Speaker: intellectual vigor, combined with keen political and tactical instincts and years of experience as an organizer and negotiator.  When John becomes Speaker, the youth in our community will have an extraordinary role model, and California’s families will have a fearless champion they can count on to stand up for what is right.”

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on his cousin, John Perez:

“Today the Democratic Assembly Members elected Assembly Member John Perez to be the next Speaker of the California State Assembly.

I add my voice to the many, in congratulating John Perez for earning the unanimous support of his colleagues.  John’s impressive career as labor leader, environmentalist and civil rights activist has prepared him for the challenges he will face in leading California to brighter days.

Known for his integrity, intelligence and consensus building skills, John Perez is simply the right person to lead California out of this recession and help start putting our families back to work.

John’s election marks an important milestone in the history of California and our nation as the first openly gay man to serve in one of the most powerful positions in state government. This is a proud day for all Californians.

Assembly Member Kevin de Leon has shown great leadership for putting the interest of his state in front of his own.  Kevin has a long and promising career ahead of him and his show of unity underscores his strong character.”

I will continue to update as more information comes in. I just got off the phone with both John Perez and Antonio Villaraigosa and will post those complete interviews later tonight or tomorrow morning.