In rural, conservative Tulare County, Democratic Party activist Ruben Macareno has one wish after the recent skirmish to pick California's new Assembly speaker.
"I hope the struggle is over, and it was an amicable one," Macareno said.
He's worried that a bad aftertaste from the contest – which had a Latino vying against a Latino – could spoil his mission to galvanize Latino voters in a region where they're underrepresented politically.
"In Los Angeles, or other parts of the state that are blue, maybe this fight is just a dot," said Macareno, the Latino caucus leader of his county's Democratic Party. "When we're in red counties, predominantly Republican, we'd rather it not be so fiery. People get turned off."
During internal deliberations to choose the next Assembly speaker – it was settled Dec. 10 – sparks flew between factions and strained relations inside the California Latino Legislative Caucus.
The episode ended with a public show of unity. Current Speaker Karen Bass met with the press, linking arms with her designated successor, John A. Pérez, as well as contender Kevin de León, who ultimately yielded to Pérez.
But embers of tension remain inside the 25-member caucus, which includes members of both houses.
Infighting could dilute the power of the caucus to steer policy at a time of economic crisis, some members fear. California's Democratic Party also has a strong interest in smoothing over the dispute. No Latino caucus member is Republican. READ FULL STORY
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