Cecília Aguiar-Curry has just been appointed leader of the largest parliamentary group in the California State Assembly. In a dispatch issued by the Assembly, the legislator of Azorean origin, on her paternal side, said: “I am very proud that the Speaker of the Assembly has honored me with this appointment. I share the Speaker’s commitment to collaboration with all of our colleagues in this legislative chamber and with our partners in the Senate and Governor Gavin Newsom’s Administration. I stand ready in these increased responsibilities to support him, work for all Californians, and fight for the values of our Assembly Democratic Caucus.”
“The Assembly Majority Leader is working closely with the Speaker of the Assembly and the Speaker Pro Tempore to expedite proceedings and reach agreement among our historically very significant caucus,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who is of Hispanic origin. “Cecilia is a trusted friend and colleague, with whom I am proud to have worked closely in the past, and she has my full confidence for the work ahead.”

In the Azorean Parliament in 2019.


Cecília Aguiar-Curry has been President Pro Tempore since July 2023 and in the State Assembly since December 2016. She is vice-president of the Legislative Women’s Caucus – a group of women in the state assembly. She has worked hard for women and children, California’s neediest families, local governments, agriculture and its employees, small towns, and rural communities. She has introduced legislation to improve all Californians’ access to health care, education, and economic opportunities.
Assemblywoman Aguiar-Curry represents the 4th Assembly District, which includes all of Lake, Colusa, Napa, and Yolo counties and part of Sonoma County, areas north of Sacramento, the state capital.
For Diniz Borges, president of the Luso-American Coalition of California (CPAC), whose mission is to elect more Luso-Descendants to political office, this is an important and historic moment: “It is extremely important to have an Azorean-descendant as the leader of the largest political party in California. It will be important for our diaspora and for the Azores. There are many bridges that can be built if the Azores want to take advantage of them.”
The California Assembly has 80 members, elected every two years. The Democrats have an absolute majority with 62 deputies and the Republicans with 18. It should be remembered that the state of California has a sister-city arrangement with the Parliament of the Azores, presented in 2002 by then State Senator, now Congressman Jim Costa, which, according to Diniz Borges: “needs to be urgently worked on to benefit the Azores and the potential of our diaspora in this state for the development of the Region and new opportunities for Californians.”

In the California State Assemby in 2023


Cecília Aguiar-Curry visited the Azores for the first time in 2019. Every year, she presents the Portuguese Heritage Month resolution, in which, at the initiative of CPAC and with her leadership and commitment to our community and our Azorean roots, she institutes a special mention of the Day of the Azores within the resolution.