An influential political blogger in Sacramento reported Tuesday that Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, has lined up enough votes to become the next Assembly speaker, perhaps by this summer.
Atkins, now the majority leader in the lower chamber of the state Legislature, would succeed Assemblyman John Perez, D-Los Angeles.
If Perez wins the June primary for state controller, a transition to Atkins as speaker could take place soon afterward, according to The Nooner, a blog by Scott Lay.
Lay reported that a group of freshman assembly members from Southern California were willing to elect Atkins as speaker and have her in that position until she is termed-out in 2016 — which would open up the position for a longer-term Assembly leader.
Atkins office did not offer comment on the report.
