Overview
- The Jan. 9 event at Santa Barbara Junior High followed Limón’s official Jan. 5 swearing‑in as president pro tem in Sacramento.
- About 500 invited guests gathered as Harris made an unannounced appearance, offered brief remarks, and administered the ceremonial oath.
- Harris praised voters for breaking barriers and said she felt pride in California’s leadership.
- Limón, 46, called the moment an honor, appeared with her immigrant parents and family, and highlighted her roots in the community.
- She is the second woman to lead the chamber, the first woman of color and first Latina, and the first Ventura County legislator in a top Senate leadership post in at least a century, and she did not address policy issues as she paused for a moment of silence for Renee Good and recalled the 2018 Montecito mudslides.