12/01/2022
Today is my last day as the Senator for the 36th Senate District.
For the past 8 years I had the privilege of serving the communities of south Orange and north San Diego Counties as your representative in the California State Senate.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to be your voice in Sacramento.
When I entered public service many years ago, I had no idea my journey would lead me to serving in public office. I started my career as a social worker out of a desire to help those less fortunate, to lift people out of poverty. Even though government has a responsibility to help its most vulnerable citizens, it must not rob them of their initiative and self-esteem in the process.
The need for citizen input is what led me to engage a group of concerned mothers to demand traffic safety improvements after tragedy struck our neighborhood. It is what drove me to serve as Laguna Niguel’s first mayor, and later serve on the Orange County Board of Supervisors – only the fourth woman elected to the board in the county’s history. And it is what guided me to return to Sacramento to represent south Orange and north San Diego Counties.
Since being elected to the Senate in 2014, I have endeavored to focus on the issues that mattered most to the residents of the 36th District.
I strived to make our communities safer by requiring a comprehensive risk assessment for all sexually violent inmates upon their release.
I championed California’s life sciences industry by providing small companies the resources to compete with global biopharmaceutical giants.
I fought for property tax relief for our veterans who risked their lives to safeguard our freedoms.
And I advocated for stronger protections for patients trying to overcome their dependence on alcohol and substance abuse.
Every bill I authored, every speech I gave, and every vote I cast was accompanied by the belief I was doing what was best for the district and for you, the voters.
The 36th Senate District enjoys some of the state’s most alluring beaches and coastline. It is surrounded by some of California’s innovative and groundbreaking industries. It is home to the most passionate, hard-working, and patriotic people.
I am blessed to call the 36th district my home.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you during my time in the State Legislature.
Thank you – for your support, for your encouragement, and for the trust you placed in me to be your elected representative.
God bless you. God bless the State of California, and God bless the United States of America.
