Filipino assemblymember ascends to senior leadership position in California legislature
California Assembly Appoints First Filipina Assemblymember as Assistant Majority Whip
In a historic move, Jessica Caloza has been appointed as the Assistant Majority Whip of the California State Assembly. Caloza, a proud immigrant and daughter of working-class parents, made history as the first Filipina elected to the California legislature.
Caloza's appointment comes as voters elected a record number of Asian American women serving in elected office. With the California State Legislature reaching near gender parity, having 37 women serving in the 80-member Assembly in 2025–2026, this marks a significant milestone in representation.
Speaker Robert Rivas stated that Caloza's leadership and focus on practical solutions make her an invaluable member of the leadership team. Rivas also expressed pride in the Assembly boasting the greatest number of women legislators and committee leaders in California history.
Jessica Caloza has extensive federal, state, and local experience. She served as a former deputy chief of staff at the California Department of Justice, Los Angeles Public Works commissioner, and policy advisor at the US Department of Education.
As the assistant majority whip, Caloza will work to advance policies addressing housing affordability, energy costs, and economic opportunity in California. Her focus is on addressing the needs of working families and improving the quality of life for all Californians.
Caloza represents the 52nd Assembly District, which includes East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, and South Glendale. She stated that she is deeply honored to serve under Speaker Rivas' leadership and is committed to delivering solutions and working tirelessly with her colleagues to stand up for all working families across California.
The Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, which represents Asian American legislators within the Assembly, includes the Asian American women serving in elected office in the California State Assembly during the 2025–2026 session. However, the specific names of Asian American women Assemblymembers were not explicitly listed in the search results. For authoritative and current names, the official California State Assembly website or the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus webpage would provide updated rosters of Asian American women members.
- Jessica Caloza's appointment as Assistant Majority Whip, a role that necessitates her focus on policy-and-legislation, is a testament to the political landscape of general-news, marked by the election of a record number of Asian American women in office.
- Caloza's policy-and-legislation agendas, centered around housing affordability, energy costs, and economic opportunity, strongly align with the politics of California, focusing on improving the lives of working families and all Californians.
