The Senate dean says farewell + A new poet laureate + Maienschein wins another term

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

THE DEAN OF THE SENATE BIDS ADIEU

As the new Legislature prepares to be sworn in next month, the dean of the Senate, Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Red Bluff, offered a parting statement following more than four decades of public service.

“I was first elected in 1978. Since that time, I have represented 19 counties in Northern California — from the Central Valley, to the Napa Valley and up through the Sacramento Valley,” Nielsen said. “Taking care of you, the constituent, has always been my first priority and the focus of the staff who worked with me to serve you, from issues with the DMV to the EDD, from the Oroville Dam break to the devastating Camp Fire, from budget fights to water rights.”

Nielsen said that he and his wife plan to spend their time traveling and enjoying time with their children and grandchildren.

“You can be assured that I am not riding off into the sunset…I am riding off into the sunrise,” Nielsen said.

NEWSOM NAMES CALIFORNIA POET LAUREATE

California has a new Poet Laureate: Fresno writer and professor Lee Herrick. Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement Friday.

“As a teacher, poet, and father, Lee writes movingly about his identity as a Californian and encourages others to reflect on what the state means to them,” Newsom said in a statement. “Lee’s dedication to highlighting the diverse experiences of Californians, and making them so accessible through his poetry, makes him a perfect candidate for Poet Laureate.”

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Herrick, who was born in South Korea and adopted as an infant, grew up in Modesto. A former Fresno poet laureate, he now teaches at Fresno City College and University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.

“Herrick writes eloquently on the immigrant experience – bringing to life the smell of chapchae and the sound of mariachi trumpets, the farmers market at midnight, and the small talk of Armenian neighbors. Herrick’s work is a Whitmanesque celebration of the best spirit of our state, the vibrancy of the Central Valley, and ourselves,” Newsom said.

Herrick, a Democrat, must be confirmed by the Senate. for a two-year term. He is tasked with advocating for poetry in classrooms and boardrooms across the state, and “inspiring an emerging generation of literary artists,” Newsom said.

MAIENSCHEIN WILL SERVE ANOTHER TERM AS OPPONENT CONCEDES

As of Friday afternoon, San Diego Democratic Assemblyman Brian Maienschein was leading his Republican challenger, Kristie Bruce-Lane, 51.5% to 48.5%.

That appeared to be enough for Bruce-Lane, who reached out to Maienschein to congratulate the Democrat (who until 2019 was a Republican) on his victory.

“Our campaign was focused on making California an affordable place to live and raise our families, decreasing crime that has hurt so many of our families and businesses, helping those in great need-our homeless and protecting our children so that they may have the opportunities to thrive,” Bruce-Lane said in a statement emailed to The Bee on Friday afternoon. “I believe through common sense reforms, California can once again be the land of endless opportunity.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Mastodon: Welcome! We’re going through some growth pains but so glad you’re here friend.

Twitter: I’ll be the last man standing as this hellsite burns. You’ll have to pry my Twitter handle from my cold dead hands!”

- California GOP consultant Mike Madrid, via Twitter.

Best of The Bee:

• Kevin Kiley remains ahead of Kermit Jones for the 3rd District congressional seat, and has been ahead all week. Yet the race remains one of the few in the nation where no winner has been declared, via David Lightman.

• The University of California is not moving fast enough to return human remains and cultural artifacts to Indigenous tribes, the state auditor said in a new report it released on Thursday, via Sawsan Morrar.

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom is proud of the “grit” his wife has shown during her days of testimony in the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault trial and said he will have more to share following the legal proceedings, via Lindsey Holden.