Newly-elected State Senator Melissa Melendez sworn-in
Just days after her victory in a special election to fill 28th State Senate, Republican Melissa Melendez was sworn-in to office.
Melendez was sworn-in Monday morning by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco at the state capitol building in Sacramento.
Senator Melendez is a veteran of the U.S. Navy who moved to California and started a small business. She served as on the Lake Elsinore city council and eventually became mayor. Melendez was then elected to represent the 67th district state assembly in 2012, a position she held until being elected to the state senate in May.
"I want to thank everyone for their faith in me and my team and for all of the long hours and tireless dedication that my volunteers gave. Campaigns are tough and it truly takes a village. I am so grateful that you all have been part of mine. Time to take our fight for the taxpayers to Sacramento. I won't let you down!," Melendez wrote on Facebook after a couple of days after results came out.
Senator Melendez takes over for Republican Jeff Stone, who stepped down in November to take a role with President Donald Trump's Labor Department.
The 28th Senate District includes Blythe, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Wildomar.