THE BUZZ: Welcome to the new era of power in Sacramento. Robert Rivas is days away from taking control of the California Legislature’s lower chamber, closing out a fraught ascent to one of the most powerful positions in the nation’s most populous state. The ascension elevates not just Rivas, but the close circle of allies around him who spent much of last year whipping votes in his favor. Rivas has been tight-lipped about what changes he wants to make to the Assembly power structure, or when. And while this is by no means a comprehensive list of his friends in the Assembly, a look at those who are closest to him gives an indication of who could be on the short list for leadership positions or top committee appointments. BUFFY WICKS — Wicks was the top lieutenant for Rivas early in his bid to take the speaker’s gavel — directing other allies and dispatching them to members’ houses late into the night as the coalition hustled to gather signatures. When that bid ultimately failed, and Rivas fled from the caucus chambers without talking to the press, it was Wicks who convinced him to return to the rotunda and stood by his side as he read a statement to reporters. An Oakland Democrat, Wicks hails from the Clinton and Obama schools of political campaigning, where she earned the nickname “Buffy the Bernie Slayer.” She had a very public dispute with Anthony Rendon over proxy voting in 2020 that led to a viral photo of her voting with a newborn baby in her arms. Although she’s become a force as chair of the Housing Committee, many members expect her to land one of the big committee chairmanships — budget or appropriations. JESSE GABRIEL —The Los Angeles-based lawmaker joined the Assembly via a special election just months before the speaker-to-be entered office in 2018. He and Rivas had already developed a good rapport when Rivas approached him in 2022 about a speakership bid, and was a steadfast backer over the course of caucus deliberations. Gabriel’s campaign was also among the top donors to Rivas’ breakaway PAC last year. The two remain close allies outside the Capitol as well, hosting a joint fundraiser at Sacramento’s Golden One Center during March Madness. Gabriel, who worked as an aide in the U.S. Senate and has argued before the Supreme Court, is seen as a candidate for head of the Judiciary Committee or another powerful gig. His chief of staff, Alicia Isaacs, is transitioning to serve as Rivas’ deputy chief of staff. ISAAC BRYAN — Upon winning the special election to replace now-Rep. Sydney Kamlager, Bryan expressed leadership aspirations of his own, going so far as to talk with Rendon about a path to the speakership, Bryan told POLITICO. But his relationship with Rivas was positive from the start. And when it was clear he had significant support from the caucus, Bryan got onboard with a speakership bid. Bryan, who came up through community organizing, is one of the body’s loudest voices for criminal justice reform and one of the few renters in the building. He chairs the body’s Elections Committee and this year is championing a constitutional amendment to allow incarcerated Californians to cast ballots. His name has been floated as a possible new chair of the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee. MATT HANEY — The San Francisco lawmaker, like other close Rivas allies, came to the Capitol in a special election, and had barely settled into the Legislature when the fight over the speakership began last spring. Haney, three weeks into being an assemblymember, quickly backed Rivas. He was among the few Democratic lawmakers who attended an event hosted by Rivas’ PAC in Sausalito last summer. Over that same summer, Haney traveled the state supporting incoming Democratic members, often with Rivas. “I think I went on the most visits with Rob,” he told POLITICO. Haney is seen as a possible candidate for the Housing Committee, should Wicks ascend to a higher position. REBECCA BAUER-KAHAN — Bauer-Kahan, colloquially called RBK, has been a steady supporter of the speaker-to-be throughout the transition process and was active in collecting signatures for him during the caucus. She hails from the same small 2018 cohort that included Rivas and Wicks and was among those who worked late into the night collecting signatures last spring. As a former speaker pro tem, her knowledge of parliamentary proceedings helped Team Rivas in the vote process. She’s seen as a possible candidate for the Judiciary Committee or a majority leader. Also an attorney, she’s been focused in recent years on abortion protections. She currently chairs the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. Other lawmakers who have stayed close to Rivas: Mia Bonta and Jim Wood, a top donor to his PAC whose former staffer Liz Snow is now Rivas’ chief of staff. That list also includes seatmate Ash Kalra, Marc Berman, who was among those who attended last summer’s Sausalito event, Cottie Petrie-Norris and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. Rivas is set to be sworn in on Friday, but is celebrating the night before with a “pre-inaugural banquet” in downtown Sacramento. Are you attending? Let us know who you see and what you hear. BUENOS DÍAS, good Wednesday morning. It’s a big day in the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee today, where members will vote on the staff unionization bill and joint liability for fast food franchisors. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up at jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte.
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