Longest-Serving California Assembly Speaker Rendon Stepping Down Unhappily

Anthony Rendon served as speaker for over seven years and passed progressive legislation but was replaced in a power struggle.
Rendon empowered committee chairs and took action on issues like minimum wage, climate change, healthcare, and education.
Rendon halted a single-payer healthcare bill and received criticism for his COVID-19 response but had a consequential speakership.
Rendon was unhappy with the process to replace him and felt it was embarrassing but will remain in the Assembly.
Rendon's potential successor, Robert Rivas, secured enough votes to take over as speaker after a battle for power.