SACRAMENTO, CA — Following recent board member elections, Senator Lena Gonzalez (D–Long Beach) will transition out of her role as Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus.
Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D–Palmdale) has earned the strong support of his colleagues to serve as the next Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, alongside incoming board members Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes as Vice Chair, Senator Caroline Menjivar as Secretary, and Assemblymember Mia Bonta as Treasurer.
Assemblymember Carrillo currently serves as Vice Chair of the Caucus. As Chair, he will help lead the Caucus in advancing the priorities and interests of Latino communities throughout California and strengthening their voice in the state Legislature. This leadership transition comes at a historic moment for Latino representation in California, with Senator Monique Limón serving as the state’s first Latina Senate President pro Tempore and Assemblymember Robert Rivas serving as the Speaker of the Assembly and California moving closer to electing its first Latino Governor.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust my colleagues have placed in me to serve as Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. I’m grateful for Senator Lena Gonzalez’s leadership and the work she has done to strengthen the voice of Latino communities throughout California. I look forward to building on that work and leading the Caucus into this next chapter. I was born in Mexico and came to this country with the hopes and aspirations of the American Dream. Through education, hard work, and a commitment to public service, I have had the opportunity to give back to the communities that shaped me. To now lead the Latino Caucus is an incredible honor and responsibility,” said Assemblymember Juan Carrillo.
“I accept this responsibility with tremendous gratitude — to my colleagues for their trust, to the community that raised me, and to the generations of Latinos whose hard work and sacrifice opened doors for those of us who have had the opportunity to serve,” said Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes. “Our communities have helped build California, and they deserve to have a meaningful voice in shaping its future. As Vice Chair, I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to expand opportunity, strengthen representation, and ensure that the next generation has even greater opportunities to lead, serve, and succeed.”
“Latino issues are California issues. I’m honored to bring a focus to this role as Treasurer of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, using our caucus’s resources to build power in Sacramento for the needs of our community. Medi-Cal and CalFresh recipients are predominantly Latino, and Latinos drive our economy while facing overwhelming challenges from rising economic inequality. I look forward to working with my colleagues to tackle these issues head-on, support young Latino leaders, and deliver for California,” said Assemblymember Mia Bonta.
The California Latino Legislative Caucus is comprised of Latino members of the California Legislature who work collectively to advance policies and priorities affecting Latino Californians throughout the state.
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