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California Senate sworn in for 2025–26 session; chamber reaches historic gender parity
Summary
The California State Senate held a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected and returning senators, installed leaders and officers, and celebrated the first-ever gender parity in the chamber as officers urged priorities on housing, affordability and defending state law.
The California State Senate convened and swore in newly elected and returning senators on Dec. 2, 2024, with Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero administering oaths to members and leadership. President pro tempore Mike McGuire, newly elected by the body, urged colleagues to tackle affordability, housing, grid modernization and to protect reproductive health access while emphasizing California—s role in national leadership.
The ceremony opened with music by the Sacramento Women—s Chorus and an invocation by chaplain Michelle Gorman. Secretary of the Senate read the names of senators-elect before members advanced to the bar to take their oaths. Officers installed for the regular session included Mike McGuire as president pro tempore, Erica Contreras as secretary of the Senate, and Katrina Rodriguez as sergeant at arms.
Senator Monique Limon, speaking for the Legislative Women—s Caucus, noted that women now constitute more than half of the Senate membership, marking the first time either house of the California Legislature has achieved gender parity. Members from across the state and a range of backgrounds stood to be recognized; the presiding officer urged senators to "dream big" for policy goals and to "put Californians first."
The ceremony also included formal acknowledgments of statewide officials in attendance, a group photo of newly sworn senators, and a musical performance by the Transcendence Theater Company. The presiding officer closed by scheduling the next floor session for Jan. 6, 2025, at 2 p.m.
The day combined ceremonial proceedings with brief policy framing from leadership about the Senate—s priorities for the coming session; no substantive legislative votes on external policy matters occurred as part of the ceremonial items.
