Editorial: Assemblymember Shirley Weber is an inspired choice for California secretary of state

Gov. Gavin Newsom had a difficult decision: One U.S. Senate appointment and two communities — Black Californians and Latino Californians — asking for better statewide representation. So his decision to send Secretary of State Alex Padilla to the Senate and replace him with Assemblymember Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, was shrewd and inspiring. Since Sen. Kamala Harris was elected vice president, many Black leaders in and out of state had lobbied for a new Black senator. But California, where 2 in 5 residents are Latino, had never had a Latino senator. Thus, Newsom’s decision to elevate Weber, who is African American, the day he announced Padilla’s selection speaks volumes about righteous representation and Weber herself. She will become California’s first-ever Black secretary of state after decades of noble public service. Putting her in charge of state elections when citizens urgently need to have faith in democracy makes sense.

Weber became a historic figure last year with her success in getting the Legislature to approve a law limiting when police can use lethal force. But she has been every bit as impressive in fighting for education reforms, especially in seeking to ensure school district funds meant to help struggling students actually do. She speaks truth to power with a gusto that few politicians can match and will surely work to protect and expand voting statewide.