Jessica Caloza made history as California’s first Filipina in the state Legislature on Monday, December 3 as she assumed office to represent Assembly District 52.
Jessica Caloza assumes office as assemblymember for District 52
HISTORY was made on Monday, December 3 as the first Filipina to serve in the California state Legislature was sworn into office.
Jessica Caloza, a long-time public servant, immigrant and women’s right advocate, took the oath of office at the State Capitol in Sacramento to represent California’s 52nd Assembly District, which is home to South Glendale, East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, and Dodger Stadium.
“As the first Filipina elected to the State Legislature, I’m honored to break this glass ceiling because women—especially women of color—belong in all spaces where decisions are being made, including at the Capitol,” Caloza said in a statement.
Caloza captured 66.9% of the votes (108,882) during the 2024 general election, beating fellow Democrat Franky Carrillo who got 33.1% of the votes (53,820).
“As an immigrant and the proud daughter of working-class parents, I’m deeply grateful for the outpouring of support,” Caloza said. “Thank you to the voters of Assembly District 52 for placing their trust in me.”
As she assumes office, the assemblymember said she is “committed to serving the needs of all our diverse communities. More importantly, I will work to deliver results for our most pressing issues—tackling the cost of living, building more affordable housing, creating good-paying jobs, protecting our environment, and investing in our public schools.”
In 2019, Caloza was appointed as a Public Works Commissioner where she led infrastructure projects, expanded good-paying union jobs, raised wages for workers, and required equal pay for women while increasing transparency and accountability. She went on to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Attorney General at the California Department of Justice, where she worked to reduce crime and gun violence, helped survivors of sexual assault receive justice, and taken bold action to protect the environment.
As assemblymember, Caloza’s priorities include reducing the cost of living, building more affordable housing, investing in public education, supporting small businesses, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and ensuring California leads the nation and world in fighting the climate crisis.
