Bob Huff reelected as California Senate Republican leader

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With the state Legislature beginning a new session today, Senate Republicans have announced the reelection of Sen. Bob Huff of Diamond Bar as the Republican leader of the upper house.

Senate Democrats had previously shown support for Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) to continue in his leadership position, but that requires an official vote when the Senate convenes later today.

Huff was reelected by a unanimous vote of Senate Republicans on Sunday afternoon and resumes his leadership role at a difficult time, when the Republican Caucus ranks are down. Last month’s election gave the Democrats a supermajority in the Senate and Assembly for the first time since 1883.

That means Huff and Connie Conway of Tulare, the Republican leader in the Assembly, face a challenge to keep the minority party a relevant part of the Legislature at a time when Democrats can raise taxes and put measures on the ballot without a Republican vote.

‘Our caucus has always worked hard to reduce our state’s deficit, ensure we use the taxpayers’ resources wisely and get Californians back to work, all efforts we will continue in the upcoming year,’’ Huff said in a statement. The millions of voters across the state who elected us deserve for their voice to be heard in Sacramento, and we will strive to ensure that as we work with our Democratic colleagues to rebuild trust with the voters and grow California’s economy.�

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-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento