What follows below is a breakdown of the top contenders buzzed about in California political circles, as first laid out a month ago by POLITICO. Since that time, Rep. Karen Bass has seen her stock rise immensely and, at one point, was seen as the favorite to become Biden’s VP pick.

Bass is right up there among top contenders with Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra, each of whom could become California’s first Latino U.S. senator in a state where Latinos comprise 40 percent of the population.

Choosing Padilla or Becerra would give the Democratic governor two bites at the appointment apple: He would also be able to choose their replacements with legislative confirmation.