Latino Legislative Caucus Statement on Historic Inauguration Day in California

SACRAMENTO – On behalf of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Chair of the Caucus, issued the following statement on yesterday’s historic inauguration day in California:

“The California Latino Legislative Caucus congratulates Governor Gavin Newsom and all the new and returning statewide elected officials on yesterday’s historic Inauguration day in California,” said Latino Caucus Chair, Assemblymember Gonzalez. “The day was a historic milestone, not just for Latinos, but for representation for ALL Californians.”

“When the Latino Caucus was established 46 years ago, in part to develop avenues to empower the Latino Community throughout California, it had only 5 members – all men,” Gonzalez added. “With the swearing in of Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Secretary of State Alex Padilla, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and Board of Equalization member Tony Vazquez, we move much closer in our efforts to create a California government that truly represents all of California. Now, the Latino Caucus has a record 33 members (28 legislators, 5 statewide) and more than half of the legislative members are women, including, for the first time ever, the Chair and Vice Chair.” 

Gonzalez concluded. “Adding to the leadership tapestry, we also saw three women – Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Controller Betty Yee, and Treasurer Fiona Ma – sworn into statewide offices along with Governor Gavin Newsom. When you consider that Insurance Commissioner Lara also represents the LGBTQ community and Superintendent Thurmond, who is Latino and African-American, represents the black community, it shows how much progress we have made over the last 50 years in California. We are incredibly proud of the diversity in this statewide leadership team.”

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The California Latino Legislative Caucus serves as a forum for members from the State Senate and Assembly to identify key issues affecting Latinos and develop avenues to empower the Latino Community throughout California. Following in the footsteps of generations of pioneering Latinos who settled and helped build this great state, Latino legislators united in 1973 to maximize their power notwithstanding their limited numbers. Since its creation 46 years ago, the Caucus has grown in both numbers and stature. There are now a record 33 members of the Caucus and more than half of the legislative members are women. The Caucus boasts a rich history of empowerment, legislative and political success and serves as one of the most influential and strategic organizations in California.