Interview with CA Senate President Pro Tempore (Pro Tem), Monique Limón
LEGISLATIVE SERIES | Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee engages with California’s 50th Senate President Pro Tempore, Monique Limón, to discuss her legislative plans for the state.
An Interview with California’s 50th Senate President Pro Tempore, Monique Limón
SBWPC Legislative and Advocacy Committee members Emily Zacarias and Amrita Salm met with CA Senate President Pro Tempore (Pro Tem), Monique Limón on 12/3 for a brief interview to discuss the year in review, and a look ahead at what 2026 may bring. Given the fact that she was just sworn in as California’s 50th Senate President Pro Tempore on 11/17/25, we were grateful for the time she took from her growing schedule and demands to have an informative conversation. She will officially take the helm when the Senate continues its current 2025-2026 Legislative session in January.
On Mentoring Women
We began by asking Pro Tem Limón about her role in mentoring and getting younger generations of women to participate more in civic engagement. She explained that she always mentors and helps those she works with, and that it happens organically. She currently has about 15 staff (and will be increasing with her new role) and she is proud to have representation from a diverse group of talented people, in terms of age and ethnicity. She has had several staff go through the Leading from Within Program and her former staff member, Vianey Lopez, is now on the Board of Supervisors in Ventura County.
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Limon’s History of Supporting Women and Advocating for Diverse Appointments to Boards and Commissions
She has held leadership positions as Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus and sponsored a recent forum called From Capitol to the County: Women Leading Santa Barbara on how to serve on Boards and Commissions, where she personally invited the Governor Newsom’s Appointment Secretary (Morgan Carvajal) to speak to the audience. In fact, the Pro Tem authored a bill (SB702) that was finally signed into law by the Governor this year, which requires demographic data be reported for Boards and Commissions appointments, which allows for more transparency and accountability, ensuring diverse representation in these influential positions.
When asked about her priorities for the upcoming year, she will be focused on 3 things:
1) Changes in federal policy that will directly affect our State
2) The state budget and how federal changes will impact our funding and resources.
3) Social safety net programs and keeping them accessible.
Leading Through Crisis
The Pro Tem went on to describe the ways she will do that is to work collectively with all 40 members of the Senate, being consistent with policy decisions, and making sure everyone has the same info/facts. She mentioned the recent ICE raids in our communities, and emphasized that immigration, making sure kids are fed (due to recent SNAP), affordable healthcare and finding solutions for the homelessness crisis are on top of her list. This is our 3rd year in deficit mode, and so the decisions she must make with her fellow legislators will be extremely difficult.
California’s Leadership in Protecting Civil Liberties and Rights
We also talked about some of the ways that CA is fighting back against these federal policies, and she was proud to say that CA is fighting back via judicial, electoral and legislative means. Pro Tem Limón cited the recent lawsuits filed by Attorney General Rob Bonta: suits to defend challenges against the unmasking of federal agents and requiring them to carry ID, cuts to federal social programs like Medicaid, the deployment of troops to CA cities, and many more.
"Thank you to everyone who is peacefully speaking out today. As your state representatives we have elevated your voices to action. Learn more about the policies the State Senate has passed to protect your rights, hold ICE accountable, and safeguard our communities."—Senator Leader Monique Limón
On Diplomacy
In addition, our states’ electorate passed Prop 50 in November, which challenged the gerrymandering issue that would have unlawfully stripped away democratic representation in Congress. Our conversation led to the example of San Francisco Mayor, Daniel Lurie, and how he was able to successfully negotiate with Trump to prevent the deployment of National Guard troops in his city. This was an example of the fact that officials have to work with Trump sometimes, in order to achieve their goals and protect their constituents.
Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee’s Role in Educating Electorate
We wrapped up our conversation with ways that SBWPC, and the public can help shift the narrative and move the needle a bit more to the left. While writing letters of support for bills, policies, action, and endorsements of progressive candidates are good, they are not as evident or direct to the people, and they are not necessarily known to the public. She said that writing more Op/Ed pieces would be better. This type of advocacy is more direct, and has more influence on public opinion. Writing opinions and editorials that could be published in the SB Independent, Santa Maria Times, Noozhawk, SY Valley News, and other publications around our county would greatly influence public discourse. She urged our members to consider this option as we enter into the 2026 Midterms, where we will need all hands-on deck!
SBWPC would like to thank Pro Tem Limon and her staff for taking the time to answer our questions and to discuss current issues. We are very proud to have her representing the 21st District and looking forward to observing the Pro Tem in her new leadership role in 2026.