See family members join new California legislators on festive first day of new session
By Paul Kitagaki Jr. and
Hector Amezcua
California’s Legislature, full of freshly minted Senators and Assembly members, returned to the state Capitol chambers Monday for the first organization session.
Members, often joined by their children, parents or other family, were sworn in as other state officials including Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero joined the ceremony.
The first order of business seems to be a special legislative session to prepare California to “defend its values” from the incoming Trump administration.
But before that it was a opportunity for family photos and other special moments. There are 23 new members in the Assembly, and 12 in the Senate (although seven senators have previous legislative experience in the Assembly).
Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, is sworn in by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero with his wife Erika on Monday during the first day of session at the state Capitol. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, walks to the dais with his daughter, Melina, 9, after being sworn in at the state Capitol on Monday during the Assembly’s first meeting of the new legislative session. Paul Kitagaki Jr. The Sacramento Bee
Former Senate President pro Tems John Burton, left, and Darrell Steinberg attend the ceremony to swear in members of the California Senate at the start of the new session on Monday at the state Capitol. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Newly elected Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, D-West Sacramento, and Gov. Gavin Newsom have a friendly conversation before members of the California Senate are sworn in on Monday. Cabaldon was the longtime mayor of West Sacramento. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Former state Sen. Brian Dahle, left, attends the first day of the legislative session with new state Sen. Steve Choi, R-Irvine, center, and Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, on Monday. Hector Amezcua The Sacramento Bee
Assemblymember Maggy Krell, D-Sacramento, practices shaking hands with her son Tyler during the first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
State Sen. Megan Dahle, R-Bieber, and her daughter Roslyn stand for the Pledge of Allegiance on Monday during the first day of session at the state Capitol. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Assemblymember Chris Rogers, D-Santa Rosa, holds son Ellis, 6 months, as partner Sarah Bellak takes a photograph at the state Capitol during the Assembly’s first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. The Sacramento Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom jogs down the aisle during at the state Capitol during the Assembly’s first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. The Sacramento Bee
Newly elected Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo, R-Tulare, listens at the state Capitol during the Assembly’s first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. Sacramento Bee file
Newly elected Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, D-San Francisco, and her mother Susan Poole greet other legislators at the state Capitol during the Assembly’s first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. The Sacramento Bee
Newly elected Assemblymember Carl Demaio, R-San Diego, looks at his legislator pin with partner Johnathan Hale, center, and nephew Harlow Duus, at the state Capitol during the Assembly’s first meeting of the new legislative session on Monday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. The Sacramento Bee
Assemblymember John Harabedian, D-Sierra Madre, sits with his family – Joseph, 3, Johnny, 10, Joshua, 6, and mother-in law Key-Hee Kim – before the start of the Assembly’s first meeting of the new legislative session at the state Capitol on Monday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. The Sacramento Bee
Assemblymember David Tangipa, R-Fresno, walks the floor during the California State Assembly organizational session and swearing-in of Member at the state Capitol on Monday. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Robert Castillo adjusts the legislator pin of his aunt Assemblymember Leticia Castillo, R-Riverside, at the state Capitol on Monday during the Assembly’s first meeting of the new legislative session. Paul Kitagaki Jr. The Sacramento Bee
New state Sen. Sabrina Cervantes, D-Riverside, waves to guests before members of the California Senate are sworn in during the first meeting of the legislative session on Monday at the state Capitol. Hector Amezcua The Sacramento Bee
This story was originally published December 2, 2024 at 5:38 PM.
