With the appointment of California Assemblyman Anthony Rendon as Speaker of the State Assembly, Latinos will lead the Golden State’s two legislative bodies.

California Assembly Democrats elected Rendon, a Democrat representing California's 63rd Assembly District, which includes Lakewood and North Long Beach, to replace current Speaker Toni Atkins, who represents San Diego. Atkins was elected to the speakership in 2014 and concludes her term in January 2016.

"With the crush of business facing us in the coming final week of the legislative session, I decided it's time to end all the suspense and speculation so we can focus our undivided attention on the critical issues before us," Atkins said in a statement. "The caucus has made an excellent choice and I'm delighted to see everyone uniting behind Assemblymember Rendon."

"I know he will find the job as rewarding and challenging as I do," added Atkins.

Rendon commended Atkins for her tenure and looks to learning from her between now and the new year.

"I am deeply honored to have the support of my colleagues to become the next Assembly Speaker," Rendon said in a separate statement. "The Assembly remains focused on doing the people's work over the last week of this legislative session and finding solutions to the challenges Californians face every day."

In California's Senate, it has been led by Democrat Kevin de León, who represents Los Angeles. De León will continue as Senate pro tempore until 2018.

The official Assembly leadership change will occur in January with a vote. A specific January date has not been set. It won't be a first time a Latino served as Assembly speaker; in fact, he'll be the fifth.

California is home to 15 million Latinos. This year, California became the second state with a Latino-majority population, after New Mexico. According to the U.S. Census Bureau released new number, which showed that as of July 1, 2014, the 14.99 million Latinos living in California have outnumbered the 14.92 million whites in the state.

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