Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, who campaigned hard for the speakership, has landed a pretty good consolation prize: majority leader. That is the number two post in the Assembly.
The Newark Democrat told his local paper, the San Jose Mercury News, "I'm very humbled by the appointment; I'm honored by it, and I'm looking forward to working with Speaker Bass confronting California's growing problems."
Torrico was one of Bass' chief rivals for speaker and her choice to give him a top post raises questions about where she will place those who backed her candidacy.
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and Assemblyman Kevin De Leon were among the members of the Assembly said to have been interested in the majority leader post. Both floated their only speakership trial balloons, but ultimately backed Bass.
Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Newark, during a 2005 committee hearing. Photo credit: Sacramento Bee/ John Decker
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