Roger Niello to take over as Republican minority leader in the California State Senate
Sen. Roger Niello will become the new Republican minority leader in the State Senate.
Niello, who represents parts of Sacramento County, will take over from Sen. Brian Jones, whose term is ending. The move is effective in November.
The vote happened Tuesday afternoon during a caucus meeting. Sen. Tony Strickland was also in the running for the leadership role, KCRA 3 has learned.
“Roger Niello brings decades of experience in business, local government and the Legislature to this role,” California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin said in a statement that also thanked Sen. Brian Jones for his service.
Rankin said that Niello “understands the importance of unity and what we can accomplish when Republican leaders, candidates, the party, donors and grassroots activists work together as one team.”
Last week, California Republicans announced that they replaced Heath Flora with Alexandra Macedo to lead the minority party in the Assembly.
That move was a surprise to people in and around the state Capitol on the first day back for lawmakers from summer recess.
–KCRA 3’s Daniel Macht contributed to this report.