California State Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón was honored at a district swearing-in ceremony at Santa Barbara Junior High School on Jan. 9. The event featured an appearance by former Vice President Kamala Harris, a visit that was a surprise to all 500 attendees.
California State Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón was honored at a district swearing-in ceremony. Lauren Chiou / Daily Nexus
Limón was elected in 2020 to represent the 21st Senate District, which includes all of Santa Barbara County and the majority of Ventura County. She is the first Latine and woman of color president pro tempore in the State Senate, and the second-ever woman to serve as Senate leader.
While Limón had already been officially sworn in as senate president on Jan. 5 in Sacramento, the ceremony on Jan. 9 was significant as it took place in Limón’s home district and alma mater.
Following performances by youth Latine dance groups to kick off the event, Harris was announced as a special guest speaker — a secret kept from attendees until the day of. The former vice president, who previously served as attorney general of California and U.S. senator representing California, had worked alongside Limón throughout their respective careers.
Amid cheers and a standing ovation, Harris took to the podium to speak about her work with Limón, highlighting the historical nature of Limón’s leadership and praising her career.
“I’ve always just been so admiring of your leadership and that you are now again breaking barriers, making history in such an important way, in a way that is so well earned and deserved,” Harris said.
Harris administered the swearing-in oath to Limón, who was joined on stage by her husband, Michael Medel, and 5-year-old daughter Gianna. Before she began, she expressed immense gratitude for Harris’ appearance at the ceremony.
Limón took a moment to honor the life of Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 7. As the daughter of immigrants and granddaughter of a Bracero laborer, or Mexican workers who provided temporary agricultural labor in the U.S., Limón is an advocate for immigrant rights.
“When fear is used to silence us, we respond by showing up stronger, showing up louder and more united than ever,” Limón said.
Following performances by youth Latine dance groups to kick off the event, Harris was announced as a special guest speaker. Lauren Chiou / Daily Nexus
Limón went on to discuss growing up on the West and East sides of Santa Barbara, where she learned English as her second language. She also thanked her family, specifically her daughter, as well as teachers and community non-profit organizations.
“Every day, the work I do, I do with keeping you in mind … Like my parents, I want to create a world where you can achieve the dreams that you could never even imagine,” Limón said, facing her daughter.
State Senator Angelique Ashby, California Assembly members Gregg Hart and Dawn Addis and Ventura County Board of Supervisors member Vianey Lopez also spoke, congratulating Limón on her achievements.
Ashby highlighted key milestones in Limón’s career, such as serving twice as the vice chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, fighting for childcare and equal pay for women, advocating for higher education and leading a multi-billion dollar discussion around cap and trade for California in 2025.
Ashby also emphasized how, for the first time in California history, both the State Senate president pro tempore and majority leader are women. The Senate’s five budget subcommittee chairs are also all women of color.
Lopez, who previously served as the director for Limón’s district office, reflected on her time as a staffer and expressed confidence that Limón would be effective in her new position as president.
“I have no doubt our senator pro tem will have people in mind and that whatever decision she makes, whatever action she takes, is thoughtful, intentional and most beneficial for people, especially for those who have the least,” Lopez said.
Lopez also thanked the senator for her guidance, saying she’s “grateful for her mentorship as a Latina leader.”
The ceremony was followed by a reception in the Santa Barbara Junior High School gym, where attendees were invited to socialize. Limón met with community members, local and state politicians and family members while answering questions from the press.
In an interview with the Nexus, Limón encouraged aspiring female and Latine politicians to follow their own path and listen to all voices and backgrounds.
“What you do is just care about your community,” Limón said. “Leadership isn’t about a title alone, but it is about a process to help our community. And focusing on the things that you feel are moments or types of things you want to improve is really key.”
A version of this article appeared on p. 1 of the Jan. 15 print edition of the Daily Nexus.
