Killea Sworn Into State Senate

SACRAMENTO —  In a brief ceremony in the state Senate chambers, Assemblywoman Lucy Killea (D-San Diego) was sworn in Thursday as the newest senator from the heavily Republican 39th District.

Killea won a narrow victory over Assemblywoman Carol Bentley (R-El Cajon) in a special election Dec. 5 to replace Larry Stirling, who resigned from the Legislature to become a municipal judge.

What began as a local political joust became a national cause celebre after Killea was publicly censured by San Diego Bishop Leo T. Maher for her campaign television commercials advocating a woman’s right to choose an abortion. Maher told Killea, a Roman Catholic, she could no longer take Communion.

Voter backlash against the bishop’s actions propelled Killea to victory in a Republican stronghold, a fact that was touched on by Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy before he administered the oath of office.

“In a month when we celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah and the miracles surrounding them . . . it’s appropriate that we celebrate the miracle of a Democrat being elected from the 39th Senatorial District,” joked McCarthy.

Killea said in a speech after taking the oath that she was “full of enthusiasm and awe” to be in the Senate. Moments before the ceremony, Killea resigned her San Diego Assembly seat, which she has held for seven years. A special election will be held to fill the empty Assembly seat.