Dr. Shirley Weber Sworn in as California Secretary of State

Dr. Shirley N. Weber, a San Diego Assemblymember and Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, has been sworn in as the California Secretary of State by Governor Gavin Newsom. Governor Newsom nominated Dr. Weber in early January, to fill the vacancy left by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate following the resignation of Vice President Kamala Harris. The California Legislature confirmed the appointment at the end of January.

Dr. Weber previously served as President of the San Diego Board of Education, as a San Diego State University professor in the Africana Studies Department at for 40 years, then was elected to the California State Assembly in 2012. Dr. Weber authored the California Act to Save Lives, enacted in 2019. Her legislative agenda has also included bills on education, civil rights, public safety, food insecurity, protections for persons with disabilities and voting rights.

Dr. Weber holds the distinction of serving as California’s first African American Secretary of State.

“On the eve of Black History Month, California once again makes history in swearing in Dr. Weber as Secretary of State,” said Governor Newsom. “As the state’s Chief Elections Officer, Dr. Weber will continue her lifelong dedication to defending civil rights and will undertake a vital role in protecting our democratic process at a critical time.”