Republicans in the California Senate have chosen a new leader – Sen. Jean Fuller of Bakersfield – and she will become the first woman to hold a top leadership post in the Senate, Democrat or Republican, the caucus announced Tuesday.
Fuller will take over as the Senate’s minority leader on Nov. 1, replacing Sen. Bob Huff of Diamond Bar. Fuller is a former school superintendent who also served in the Assembly.
“Jean Fuller is a respected legislator who has earned the trust of our caucus during her time in the state Senate, and after handily winning re-election last fall she is a great choice to serve as our next Republican leader,” Huff said in a statement. “She is highly thought of by Republicans and Democrats and I know she will build on the success we achieved last year by electing Republicans in three Democrat-majority districts.”
Fuller issued a statement saying she will work closely with Huff to “ensure a smooth transition and to build upon his successes.”
When Fuller takes over, three of the four legislative leaders will be women, counting Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins of San Diego and Assembly GOP leader Kristin Olsen of Riverbank.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article11088356.html