By ELIZABETH CHOU | hchou@scng.com | LA Daily News
San Fernando Valley-based lawmaker Jesse Gabriel has been appointed to a leadership position in the state Assembly.
Gabriel, a Democrat from Woodland Hills, will serve as the majority whip, helping to move through the Democratic Caucus’s legislative goals, and work with Speaker Anthony Rendon. He is taking over a position previously held by Todd Gloria, who was sworn-in last week as the mayor of San Diego.
He said this was a “critical moment” and that he was eager to work with fellow lawmakers to “pass a robust legislative agenda that addresses the biggest challenges facing California.”
“We have a difficult road ahead of us, but I am confident that we can make a real difference for folks in the San Fernando Valley and across our state,” he said.
Gabriel was recently re-elected to a second term representing the 45th Assembly District, which primarily encompasses the western San Fernando Valley.
The appointment is part of a quick rise for the lawmaker, who was first elected two years ago in 2018 and was soon after appointed assistant majority whip. Rendon said he made the latest appointment due to Gabriel’s “determined and steadfast work.”
“Though he’s been in the Assembly only since 2018, he has demonstrated his capacity to join the leadership team,” he said. “I look forward to his contributions.”
As a freshman state lawmaker, Gabriel got nine bills signed by the governor, including one that aimed to expand legal aid to low-income residents, in the San Fernando Valley and California.
Gabriel was also elected chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, and serves on the Appropriations, Banking and Finance, Higher Education, Housing and Community Development and the Privacy and Consumer Protection committees.