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Two California state senators resign to join Congress

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As expected, state Sens. Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) and Gloria Negrete-McLeod (D-Chino) are stepping down from state office Wednesday so they can take seats in Congress, to which they were elected Nov. 6.

Negrete-McLeod’s resignation is effective at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, while Vargas’ resignation takes effect at 5 p.m. Both members wrote in their resignation letters to Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) that they were honored to have served in the Senate.

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‘I look forward to continuing to work with you and my successor to further strengthen the relationship between the state of California and federal government,’’ Vargas wrote. Negrete-McLeod wrote ‘it is with great sadness and joy that I ask you to accept my resignation as an elected member of the California State Senate.”

Negrete-McLeod and Vargas are scheduled to be sworn in to their congressional seats Thursday.

Gov. Jerry Brown now has 14 days to call a special election to fill the two Senate seats. Senate Democrats are hoping for a March primary and May general election so the new senators can be on board in time for the annual budget vote, said Rhys Williams, a spokesman for Steinberg. Candidates are already lining up to run for the two seats. Assemblywoman Norma Torres (D-Pomona) and San Bernardino County Auditor/Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Larry Walker are among those running for the Negrete-McLeod seat, while Assemblyman Ben Hueso (D-Logan Heights) has announced his candidacy to replace Vargas.

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Photo: Rep.-elect Gloria Negrete-Mcleod (D-Chino). Credit: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press

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