Two Democrats sworn into office to replace California assemblymen accused of sexual misconduct
The state Assembly on Monday welcomed Democrats Luz Rivas and Jesse Gabriel, who were sworn in after winning special elections last week to replace two former San Fernando Valley members accused of sexual misconduct.
Rivas, a science educator and Los Angeles Public Works commissioner, will fill the remaining term of former Democratic Assemblymen Raul Bocanegra in the 39th district. Gabriel, an Encino attorney with degrees from UC Berkeley and Harvard, will take over for former state Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, a Democrat, in the 45th district.
Nearly 150 women last year came forward to denounce what they called a culture of sexual harassment within the state Capitol community. The movement led to an overhaul of policies within the California Legislature and to the resignations of Bocanegra and Dababneh after multiple women reported allegations of harassment and misconduct.
In ceremonies Monday, Rivas, whose district includes Sylmar, Sun Valley and North Hollywood, touted the state’s tech sector and pledged to devote herself to removing barriers to housing and other economic obstacles that keep public school students from pursuing careers in science and tech.
Read more: http://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-may-2018-two-democrats-sworn-into-office-to-1528745014-htmlstory.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
