By David Courtland and Manuel Muñoz Jr.
State Senator Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara), who represents Oxnard, among other cities in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in the 21st Senate District, has been designated the California State Senate’s next President Pro Tempore. She will be the first Latina and the first mother to serve in that leadership position.
Limon won a key vote on June 9 and will take over from current President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) early in 2026. The President Pro Tempore presides over committee meetings and helps set policy. The term is two years.
“I am proud to represent our communities as the next Senate Pro Tempore and look forward to continuing the work on behalf of all Californians,” Limon told VIDA Newspaper.
“In this new role I plan to continue advancing the priorities of the Senate Democratic Caucus.”
The designation comes as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are raiding Southern California workplaces, including in Oxnard and Camarillo, to arrest undocumented immigrants and federal troops have been deployed in downtown Los Angeles ostensibly to prevent rioting.
“The attacks on our immigrant communities and those exercising their right to free speech are deeply concerning, the decision of the federal administration to send troops into our communities has instilled fear throughout the state, not just in Los Angeles and Ventura County,” Limon said. “These actions sow distrust, confusion and tensions in our state. I stand with our immigrant communities and remain committed to supporting our neighbors and friends as they navigate this chaotic situation.”
Limon was elected to the Senate in November 2020 and represents the 21st Senate District, which includes Santa Barbara County and parts of Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties.
Limon was previously elected to the California Assembly 37 District from December 5, 2016 to November 30, 2020. She currently serves as the chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee as well as the chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and vice chair of the bipartisan Legislature Women’s Caucus. Before the State Senate, she served as the Assembly member for the region.
Born and raised in the 21st District, Limon is a UC-Berkeley graduate with a Master’s Degree from Columbia University who spent 14 years working as an advisor to students at UC-Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College.
“I am the proud daughter of immigrants—that road was paved with sacrifice and hard work; without them I never could have been elected the first Latina Senate pro tem,” Limon said.
“This is a humbling honor, not only because I have the opportunity to inspire others, but also because at a time when our federal government is telling immigrants they are not worthy of the American Dream my colleagues have chosen a daughter of the immigrant community to lead this state forward,” Limon said to VIDA Newspaper.