Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) and all other nine members of the Senate Republican Caucus are celebrating momentous victories across the state. For the first time in a general election since 1980, Senate Republicans ousted an incumbent Democrat. Additionally, for the first time in history, the California Senate Republican Caucus has a women-majority makeup.
“As Californians grow increasingly frustrated with the failures of Democrat leadership, they are shifting toward Republican solutions,” said Leader Jones. “Senate Republicans are not only growing in numbers but also diversity. Heading into 2025, we’re proud to expand our caucus to 10 members, up from 8 members just one year ago. With this strengthened team, we’ll continue fighting to deliver real results and fix California.”
For the first time in history, the California State Senate Republican Caucus has a majority of women, with three of the six Republican women senators being Latina.
Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) has also won her re-election to a second term, representing the newly drawn California 19th Senate District. In 2020, she made history as the first Republican Latina elected to the State Senate.
“I’m humbled by the trust the voters of the newly redrawn SD19 have placed in me,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “It is a testament to the hard work we’ve done these past four years, facilitating dialogue, education, and advocacy for improving the quality of life for our region and California as a whole. We will continue to work wholeheartedly with our colleagues in an effort to create a California that is more affordable, safe, and where economic opportunity abounds.”
Republicans also easily held onto the heavily contested California Senate District 23 of outgoing Republican Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita).
"I'm thankful that our community has chosen me to represent them in the Capitol, and I look forward to bringing a pragmatic approach to solving California's many problems,” said Senator-elect Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita). “We have lots of work to do, and I'm confident Senate Republicans will be able to help fix California."
Valladares is a former Assemblymember who has a background in business and running a non-profit, and describes herself as a “wife, mom, and problem-solver.”
Newly-elected Senator Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) also won her election in a landslide victory to represent California’s 1st Senate District. A former member of the State Assembly, Dahle is a small business owner, mother of three, and an education advocate.
“It has been an honor to serve in the Assembly and I can’t wait to get to work in the Senate and continue fighting for our rural communities,” said Senator-elect Dahle. “Our rural families need representation in the room, and I am proud to bring that to the State Senate.”
Also newly elected to the Senate this month was Dr. Steven Choi (R-Irvine), who defeated a heavily backed Democrat incumbent and made history as the first Senate Republican to oust a Democrat incumbent in a Presidential general election since 1980. A former member of the State Assembly, Dr. Choi also served as the mayor of Irvine and as a professor at both the University of Southern California and UC Irvine.
“It is a true honor to be selected by my neighbors to represent their needs in the legislature and I aim to get started immediately making sure we pass responsible, effective legislation that makes life easier for everyday Californians,” said Senator-elect Choi. “We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work needed to serve all Californians.”
Other returning members of the now 10-member Senate Republican Caucus include Leader Jones, Senators Marie Alvarado-Gil (Jackson), Shannon Grove (Bakersfield), Janet Nguyen (Huntington Beach), Roger Niello (Fair Oaks), and Kelly Seyarto (Murrieta).