Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., a Democrat, is California's 32nd Secretary of State, serving since her appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom on January 29, 2021, following her election to a full term in November 2022. Born September 20, 1948, in Hope, Arkansas, to sharecropper parents, she is the state's first Black Secretary of State and only the fifth African American state constitutional officer. Previously, she represented California's 79th Assembly District for four terms . Notable achievements include authoring voting rights legislation for those on parole, chairing key committees on elections and budget, protecting poll workers, and advocating for civil rights, education, and public safety.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Product of California public schools; earned three degrees from UCLA, including a Ph.D. at age 26; became one of the youngest professors at San Diego State University, helping found the Africana Studies Department.
• Political Experience: Chaired San Diego Unified School District board; served twice as California presidential elector ; in Assembly, chaired Elections and Redistricting Committee, Budget Committee , and subcommittees on Public Safety and Health; led Select Committees on Campus Climate and Higher Education in San Diego County.