Palm Desert Assemblyman Named Second-In-Charge In Sacramento
Assemblyman Brian Nestande’s new job as the minority party’s caucus chairman means he is the second highest-ranking Republican for the 2010-2012 legislative session in California’s lower house.
He will be in charge of running the caucus meetings where Republicans decide their positions on proposed bills and policies. He also will be expected to keep GOP leaders across the state apprised of key legislative issues and party matters emanating from Sacramento.
“We need to have a collaborative effort amongst Republicans so that everyone feels they are part of crafting our plan,” Nestande told an area newspaper.
“Caucus meetings are there to have debate and discussion about the direction of the party and different policy issues. It’s important for members to feel like they are included in part of the process.”
The new job represents the most significant role for Nestande, one of two Assembly members representing the Coachella Valley. Nestande, 46, also sits on the Assembly Budget Committee and is vice chair of the Assembly Education Committee.
Nestande, a 15-year Riverside County resident, was re-elected to the 64th Assembly seat in November. The new legislative session started Dec. 6.
Nestande, who is married and has four girls and three boys, is a Cal State Fullerton graduate and began his political career with former Rep. Michael Huffington, R-Santa Barbara.
In 1994, he managed the successful congressional campaign of then-Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono and was Bono’s chief of staff until his death in early 1998. Nestande was chief of staff for Rep. Mary Bono Mack from 1998-2000.
He left politics in 2000 to form Nestande and Associates, a government relations firm headquartered in Palm Desert. Nestande defeated Kelly McCarty in the 2008 Assembly primary and faced no major or minor party opposition in the general election.
