For the first time, California’s State Senate is being led by a woman of color. Democratic State Senator Monique Limón of Santa Barbara was formally sworn in on Monday as President Pro Tempore, becoming the first Latina and first mother to hold the position.
Limón officially took over Senate leadership in November, succeeding former leader Mike McGuire, who stepped down after nearly two years in the role.
Former Democratic Senate leader Mike McGuire Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. McGuire held the role for two years and is now running for Congress.(Gerardo Zavala/CapRadio)
McGuire is now running for Congress in the newly redrawn 1st District against Republican incumbent Doug LaMalfa.
Surrounded by friends and family at the ceremony — including her immigrant parents — Limón acknowledged the heightened anxieties many immigrant communities are facing under President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Even today in this momentous occasion, I, the leader of the California State Senate, carry a copy of my passport on my phone,” she said. “I see that people are being targeted because of the way they look, the language they speak and the jobs they hold.”
Limón has previously worked on legislation expanding access to migrant childcare and development programs and has publicly supported immigrants’ rights and protections.
Democratic Senate Pro Tempore Monique Limón holds her daughter’s hand Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Sacramento during her swearing-in ceremony.(Gerardo Zavala/CapRadio)
Budget deficit and oversight
Speaking with reporters before the ceremony, Limón said strengthening legislative oversight of how the state spends taxpayer dollars will be one of her top priorities.
“More oversight on our part ensures that we’re doing what we need to do to be able to ensure that the public feels that we are good stewards of their money,” she said. “When the public tells us and signals to us that this is something they care about, that they have questions about something, it is our responsibility, and I don’t see that as a bad thing.”
Her comments follow a December report from the California State Auditor, which found state agencies wasted, misused or failed to report over $5 million in state funds.
Limón will also play a central role in navigating what the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office projects will be an $18 billion budget deficit next year.
“We’re going to hear from the governor on the project and there’s still a little wiggle room in terms of where we may land and where we may agree,” she said, referring to the state budget Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to present this Friday.
Republican Senator Tony Strickland of Huntington Beach said he welcomes Limón’s leadership.
“We have serious problems in California,” Strickland noted. “California, we need serious solutions. And I’m looking forward to working with the new Pro Tem to solve those.”
Republican Senator Tony Strickland of Huntington Beach Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Sacramento.(Gerardo Zavala/CapRadio)
Democratic Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco said he and Limón came into the legislature at the same time.
“I’ve served with her for nine years now and I have seen over and over again how she very gracefully navigates extremely difficult political issues, how she doesn’t lose her cool and how she understands that her job is for her own community, but also for the entire state,” he said following the ceremony.
Wiener added that the projected budget deficit will be one of her biggest challenges.
“The budget is not in good shape because of various economic headwinds and because of what Trump is doing, so she has her work cut out for her and she’s going to have all of our complete support to get this done,” he added.
CapRadio reporter Laura Fitzgerald contributed to this story.
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