Senator Lena Gonzalez

Lena Adriana Gonzalez is a Democratic State Senator representing California's 33rd Senate District, which encompasses Southeast Los Angeles, the City and Port of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Catalina Island, serving approximately one million residents.

She first won her seat in a special election in June 2019 running unopposed and was subsequently re-elected in November 2020 for her first full four-year term. Currently, she serves as Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, playing a key role in supporting legislative leadership.

Gonzalez comes from a working-class background. Her father was a truck driver, and her mother, an immigrant from Mexico, advanced through careers in aerospace and technology. She is married with three sons and has described learning the value of hard work from both of her parents.

Education

Gonzalez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach, and an MBA from Loyola Marymount University.

Political Experience

Prior to the State Senate:

Gonzalez served on the Long Beach City Council from 2014 to 2019, representing 50,000 residents in Downtown Long Beach. During her tenure, she championed initiatives focused on labor rights, local business support, sustainability, and innovation. She was particularly proud of developing the Digital Inclusion Roadmap, which received national recognition for its collaborative and equitable approach.

Before entering public service, she worked at Microsoft, where she led social impact programs on digital skills, the future of work, and criminal justice reform. She also spearheaded efforts to expand diversity and inclusion in the tech sector and supported programs for underserved communities, particularly young girls of color in STEM.

Notable Legislative Achievements:

As State Senator, Gonzalez has authored over 20 environmental bills and worked on more than 70 measures. Key accomplishments include:

• SB 1137: Legislation to protect communities from pollution and end neighborhood oil and gas drilling
• SB 84/AB 126: Revitalized the Clean Transportation Program, securing over $2 billion in funds for zero-emission transportation
• Abortion Accessibility Act: Removed barriers to abortion care
• SB 616: Expanded paid sick leave from 3 days to 5 days
• SB 606: Protected workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
• SB 338: Shielded port truck drivers from wage theft, employment misclassification, and denied benefits and health protections
• *SB 4 *: Aims to close the digital divide

Additionally, Gonzalez was appointed as the first Latina to serve as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and the only woman to hold this position in the last 20 years. In February 2021, she was appointed Majority Whip, one of seven Democratic leadership positions in the California Senate.