California

California Democrat Jerry Brown took the Governor’s Office for the third time in 2010, twenty-eight years after the end of his second term. A Democrat, Gavin Newsom returns as the Lieutenant Governor and the party continues to hold almost all statewide positions. Democrats maintained a 25-14 majority in the Senate with one seat currently vacant and a 52 – 28 Assembly majority.  A total of 20 seats will be up for election in 2012 after state redistricting in 2011.

Democratic Sen. Darrell Steinberg serves as President Pro Tem of the Senate with Sen. Ellen Corbett as Majority Leader and Sen. Robert Dutton as Minority Leader. The Assembly is led by Speaker John Perez with Rep. Charles Calderon as Majority Floor Leader and Rep. Connie Conway as Minority Leader. The 2011-2012 California Legislative Session convened on January 3, 2011 and is still in session.