Dec 27, 2024 Story by: Editor
The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) achieved a historic milestone, with women making up the majority of its membership for the first time in its 57-year history. Out of 12 current members, nine are Black women, reflecting significant progress in representation. This marks an increase from the previous legislative session when only five out of 12 members were women.
For the 2025-26 Legislative session, three women members are serving in the State Senate, and six in the State Assembly.
New Senate Members Lead the Charge
Senator Laura Richardson (D-Inglewood) and Senator Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) were sworn in on the first official day of the new legislative session by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero of the California Supreme Court.
“Yesterday, I was sworn in as Senator of the 39th Senate District! I am so honored to do this work and excited to get started,” Weber shared on Facebook on December 3. “I introduced my first bill on my first day, SB 32, to address maternity ward closures in the state. Let’s go Senate District 39.”
Weber, who previously represented the 79th District in San Diego County as a State Assembly member for three years, was also sworn in as Chair of the CLBC on December 2.
Richardson and Weber join Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights), who was elected in 2022 and had been the only Black woman in the State Senate before their arrival.
“This has been a long journey,” said Smallwood-Cuevas. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of you coming together and standing up and supporting this effort to ensure that Black women have a voice here in Sacramento, representing the communities we all care about. We grew our caucus, but this is just the beginning of making sure that the California State Legislature is representative of California.”
New Assembly Members Add Strength
Assemblymembers Sade Elhawary (D-South Los Angeles), Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton), and LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego) were sworn in on December 2, joining Richardson as the newest members of the CLBC. Notably, Richardson had previously served in the Assembly before being elected to Congress in 2007.
“When I took my portrait, I wore a white turtleneck and a red jacket like Congresswoman Maxine Waters,” Richardson remarked, paying homage to trailblazing figures in California politics. “All of us women are here because we stood on the backs and shoulders of women who served here capably and are respected, and that has translated into giving us a chance.”
She acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “In times like these, we don’t need to agonize. We need to organize.”
Sharp-Collins expressed gratitude and determination, saying, “I am honored and humbled to represent the people of the 79th Assembly District. I plan to continue the work I have done for many years to advance the district — especially in helping support our most vulnerable residents.”
Veteran Members and Departures
Returning CLBC members in the State Assembly include immediate past Chair Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Issac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), and Mike Gipson (D-Carson).
Outgoing members include Senator Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood), Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), and Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles). Bradford and Jones-Sawyer were termed out, while McCarty ran successfully for mayor of Sacramento.
Expanding Representation
The CLBC was established in 1967 to address the concerns of African Americans and other citizens of color. Mervyn Dymally, a trailblazer in California politics, was instrumental in its founding. Today, the California Legislature is making broader history with a record-breaking 58 women lawmakers, nearly half of its 120 members.
“We couldn’t be more excited about this outstanding group of new Senators who were sworn in today,” said Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg). “They’re hard-working, innovative, and ready to tackle the tough challenges ahead.”
The CLBC celebrated its new members and leadership with a reception on the evening of December 2. Newly elected Chair Akilah Weber and Vice Chair Issac Bryan aim to continue advancing the caucus’s mission.
New Initiatives Underway
The new members are motivated to bring change. Assemblymember Ransom stated, “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue my work to provide economic opportunity for all, reduce costs, strengthen accountability and education, and protect our neighborhoods.”
On her first day, Elhawary introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 37, which focused on improving mental health services for unhoused families and children. “My goal with this bill is to organize all interested parties in a discussion with a goal to aggressively research the hurdles we still face and identify policy or regulatory solutions in providing this essential service,” she said.
Sharp-Collins echoed the sentiment of commitment: “There is so much work to be done, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and our Assembly leadership to better the 79th District and the State as a whole.” Source: PrecinctReporter
