Lena Adriana Gonzalez (born January 26, 1981) is an American politician serving as a member of the California State Senate from the 33rd district, which encompasses the Southeast Los Angeles area including Lakewood and Long Beach. Since February 2024, she has served as Majority Leader of the Senate.
She chaired the Senate Transportation Committee, becoming the first Latina to ever serve in this capacity and the only woman to serve in the last 20 years. On February 12, 2021, Senator Gonzalez was appointed as Majority Whip. She was one of several California lawmakers to attend the COP15 Summit.[4]
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Gonzalez's “The Equal Insurance HIV Act” into law, which prohibits life and disability income insurance companies from denying coverage to HIV-positive individuals solely based on their HIV status.[6]
Gonzalez has been a frequent critic of the 'Big Oil' lobby in California, authoring numerous bills protecting environmental standards and public health.[7] She introduced legislation in 2022 to require CalPERS and CalSTRS to engage in fossil fuel divestment to align with the state's climate action goals. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill by Gonzalez that would ban new oil and gas wells near homes and schools in 2022.[8] Gonzalez introduced Senate Joint Resolution 2 alongside Assemblyman Ash Kalra, which upon adoption made California the largest economy endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative[9]
Personal life
Gonzalez lives in Long Beach with husband Adam Carillo and three sons in a blended family. The pair met playing softball and were married in a 2019 ceremony at the new Long Beach City Hall building.[10]
