Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco chairs the California Assembly's Rules Committee, giving her significant power over which bills get hearings, how quickly they move, and whether laws take effect immediately.
Suzette Valladares became the first Latina Republican to serve in both houses of the California Legislature by refusing to treat setbacks as dead ends. In 2025, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones appointed her caucus whip.
California's first Latina Senate leader enters the final month with control over hundreds of bills and a legislative record her office says received bipartisan support 87% of the time.
Cara Brown McCormick
