The CA State Senate confirmed Weber in a unanimous vote.
It’s official! State Assemblywoman Shirley Weber will be California’s next Secretary of State, taking over the role previously filled by Alex Padilla. Weber was confirmed by the State Senate on Thursday, January 28 in a unanimous 29-0 floor vote, making her the first Black woman to hold the position in California’s history.
It’s OFFICIAL, my nomination for CA Secretary of State has been confirmed by the CA Legislature and my next step will be swearing in.
I will be the 1st Black woman to serve in this role and only the 5th Black person to serve as constitutional officer ever #RepresentationMatters pic.twitter.com/uvMEY8zKLO
— Shirley Weber, PhD (@DrWeber4CA) January 28, 2021
Weber has served Californians in countless ways over the course of her career. She previously served the state’s 79th Assembly District, an office she has held since first being elected in 2012. Weber has headed the California Legislative Black Caucus and served on several other committees, boards and councils in the community.
She has also served as president of the San Diego Board of Education and co-founded the Department of Africana Studies at San Diego State University, where she taught for more than 40 years.
A fearless advocate with unimpeachable integrity and moral clarity — there’s no one better suited for the job of Secretary of State than @AsmShirleyWeber.
With her, CA will continue to be a model for the nation in expanding democratic participation and access to the ballot box. pic.twitter.com/fcpuZuYQ8e
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) December 22, 2020
Throughout her career, Weber has been known for her advocacy of civil rights and voting rights. “Dr. Weber is a tireless advocate and change agent with unimpeachable integrity,” said the Governor’s Office in a tweet. “She will be at the helm of our elections as our next Secretary of State, the first African American to be California’s Chief Elections Officer.”
An official date for Weber’s swearing in ceremony has not yet been announced.
See also: California Native Kamala Harris Is Now Officially The First Black, South Asian Woman Vice President
[Featured image: Office of Assembly Member Shirley N. Weber]