Sen. Jenny Oropeza passes away

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Sen. Jenny Oropeza, who represented Long Beach first in the state Assembly and later in the state Senate, has died.

The announcement of Oropeza’s death came in an e-mail from Senate President Darrell Steinberg to colleagues Thursday.

Oropeza had been absent from her job for months and missed this month’s budget vote. She is on the November ballot for another four-year term. Her name will remain on the ballot and if she is reelected, a special election will be called to fill the vacancy.

‘In the course of this legislative session, the Senate has faced incredible challenges, and more than its share of sadness,’ Steinberg wrote. ‘Let us take a moment of our time, in remembering Jenny, to reflect on our Capitol family, our friendships, and our importance to each other as colleagues.’

-- Anthony York in Sacramento