Capitol Watch - Maeley Tom, Aug 10, 2007

Lieu prepares to take over leadership of the API Legislative Caucus: The usually mild-mannered moderate Assemblyman Ted Lieu garnered headlines recently by lashing out at the governor’s dismal record on appointing minorities and women to judgeships.

What made an impact was that, instead of the API Caucus following the lead of the Black Caucus or Latino Caucus, it was Lieu who took the lead and served as the spokesperson on this issue, representing the three major ethnic caucuses. Members of the three caucuses make up one third of the state legislative body.

The well-respected Lieu is definitely ready and eager to follow the footsteps of the current chair Assemblyman Alberto Torrico who has helped make the API Legislative Caucus a force to be reckoned within the state Capitol.