Senate pro Tempore Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) answers questions from the media after Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his State of the State Address. Limón was officially sworn in November 2025, with a formal, historic ceremony held on Jan. 5, 2026, in Sacramento. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Senate pro Tempore Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), right, poses for a photo with Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond following the State of the State Address at the State Capitol on Jan. 8, 2026. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Sen. Monique Limón (D–Santa Barbara) was sworn in as the 50th president pro tempore of the California State Senate on Jan. 5 at the State Capitol, marking the occasion with a series of official and ceremonial events.
Limón’s appointment in the Senate chambers marks a significant milestone as she is the first Latina, the first mother, and the first woman of color to lead the California State Senate. The oath was administered by California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero.
“This state and this country have allowed for the daughter of immigrants, first-generation college-bound, ESL learner, granddaughter of a Bracero, to lead the incredible State Senate,” Limón said. “This is what California is about. This is what the United States is about. This is what we are about.”
Limón officially took the oath of office and began her role on Nov. 17, 2025, succeeding Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg).
As the Senate’s leader, Limón will oversee its administration, policy agenda, and daily operations, including chairing the Rules Committee that assigns bills, confirms appointments, and manages internal functions.
Limón presides over floor sessions, maintains order, sets the legislative agenda, mentors junior Senators, and represents the Senate in interactions with the Assembly and Governor, holding significant influence over the legislative process.
Limón says her leadership priorities for the 2026 session center on fiscal responsibility and protecting existing social programs amidst a projected $18 billion state budget deficit and potential federal funding cuts.
Limón’s broader policy agenda, established throughout her career, includes consumer protections, working families and gender equity, health access, and early childhood education, childcare affordability, and financial aid for underserved students, according to her office.
Her 2026 legislative policy proposals will extend from housing to wildfire mitigation, childcare affordability, and health care access.
In December, Limón assigned prominent committee chair and leadership roles to California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) member Senators Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles), Laura Richardson (D-Inglewood), and Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) for the remainder of the 2025–2026 legislative session.
“As I look out to you today, I see diverse skills and experiences, walks of life, histories, expertise, and passion for all the issues that impact all of our communities,” Limón told her Senate colleagues after taking the oath. “I’m honored and humbled that you elected me to serve as your next leader, to be surrounded by the best of the best who lead with courage, who lead with strength and resilience to do what is often hard, but what is right for California.”
Richardson delivered a floor speech welcoming the new leader. She expressed a commitment to working alongside Limón to address state issues and mentioned that she looked forward to “robust and lively debates” on building upon previous legislative work.
“Don’t underestimate Senate pro Tem Monique Limón. She’s listening, she’s aware, she’s prepared,” Richardson said. “She knows the pros and cons, and she won’t be fooled by the rope-a-dope. Senator pro Tem Limón is ready. She’s skillful, she’s competitive, she’s capable.”
Limón, born and raised in Santa Barbara, is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in education from Columbia University.
Before entering politics, she worked 14 years in higher education as an assistant director for the McNair Scholars Program at UC Santa Barbara and at Santa Barbara City College.
A second ceremonial swearing-in was held on Jan. 9, 2026, at the Marjorie Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High School, her former school. Former Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath at this event.
“I look forward to partnering with you to tackle the needs of California from the Northern Foothills to the Golden Gate, from the Central Valley to the San Fernando Valley, from the Inland Empire to the San Diego Border,” Limón stated at that event. “Thank you. To the entire caucus, thank you all for your support and for putting your faith in me to lead this body and do this work in service for the people of California with you all.”
