Senator Ben Hueso to Serve as Chair of the CA Latino Legislative Caucus: Assemblymember Gonzalez elected as Vice Chair
Sacramento, CA – The California Latino Legislative Caucus (CLLC) announced today that State Senator Ben Hueso (D-Chula Vista) has been elected to serve as the caucus Chair for the 2017-18 legislative session. Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) was elected as Vice-Chair. The CLLC, comprised of a record high 27 State Legislators (5 Senators and 22 Assemblymembers), serves as a forum to develop avenues to empower the Latino community throughout California.
“I am grateful to be elected Chair of the caucus by my colleagues in the State Senate and Assembly,” stated Senator Ben Hueso. “It is my top priority to work tirelessly to ensure we identify and address issues affecting the Latino population. I look forward to representing the CLLC and providing strong legislative policies that support our hardworking families across our state. I also want to thank Assemblymember Luis Alejo for his outstanding leadership of the caucus over the past two years.”
Ben Hueso was elected as State Senator for the 40th District in March of 2013. He represents the cities of Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, National City, portions of the City of San Diego and the Imperial County. Senator Hueso is Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications and Vice-Chair of the Veterans Affairs. Since assuming office, he has worked extensively on initiatives regarding consumer protection, public safety and job creation. He also serves as Chair of the Select Committee on California- Mexico Cooperation.
“It is an honor to be selected by so many talented leaders in our community to serve as Vice-Chair of the Latino Caucus. Together, we all stand committed to protecting the families in our state who work hard and just want a better life for their children,” said Assemblymember Gonzalez. “The Latino Caucus has always been a strong voice for achieving that mission in California. But we face a new challenge nationally and our community is looking to us for the strength that’s needed to protect families, accessible health care and the good jobs that we know are needed to make California great.”
Lorena Gonzalez was elected as Assemblymember of the 80th District in May of 2013. The 80th Assembly District includes Chula Vista, National City and the San Diego neighborhoods of City Heights, Barrio Logan, Paradise Hills, San Ysidro and Otay Mesa. Lorena is the first Latina in California history to Chair the Assembly Appropriations Committee. She is also Chairwoman of the Select Committee on Women in the Workplace. In 2014, Lorena authored historic legislation to allow 6.5 million Californians the ability to earn paid sick leave. She also won overtime pay for farmworkers among numerous equity issues she has tackled.
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Contact: Tanya Duggan / Tanya.Duggan@sen.ca.gov / (619) 519-9177