Click photo to view Senator Alvarado-Gil’s floor speech, and tributes by Senators Roger Niello and Suzette Martinez Valladares

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) reflected on her four years of service representing California’s 4th Senate District. Elected in November 2022 and sworn in on December 5, 2022, Senator Alvarado-Gil has been a steadfast voice for the 13 counties and 17 tribal nations spanning the Sierra Foothills and Central Valley.

From the outset, she came to Sacramento “committed to putting our rural communities first, focusing on the safety of my constituents, from families to farmers.” Her record reflects that promise: landmark public-safety legislation, expanded tools for rural first responders, critical wildfire-prevention funding, and consistent advocacy for veterans, agriculture, and local traditions.

Key accomplishments include:

·    Authoring SB 268, which closed a dangerous loophole by classifying the intentional rape of an intoxicated or unconscious person as a violent felony, protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. The bill is now law.

·    Securing SB 229, which expanded peace-officer authority for deputy sheriffs in Amador and Nevada counties, giving them essential tools for emergency response, search-and-rescue, and evacuations.

·    Advancing tax relief so fire departments can purchase critical equipment without sales tax and helping secure nearly $11 million in CAL FIRE wildfire-prevention grants for the district.

·    Standing as a tireless advocate for California veterans, including authoring a resolution to recognize the KIA flag to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

·    Celebrating the district’s historic culture through resolutions declaring May as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month and April as California Rodeo Appreciation Month and hosting the annual Capitol Frog Jump, an event that became “a great, unifying day for members of the legislature and their hardworking staff.”

In her floor remarks, Senator Alvarado-Gil underscored the principles that guided her service:

“We serve because we believe in people. We serve because we believe that government should be a force for opportunity, accountability, and hope. And we serve because we believe that freedom, the freedom to pursue a better life, raise a family, build a business, educate our children, and contribute to our communities, is worth protecting.”

She called on colleagues to “persevere when the work becomes difficult… when criticism becomes loud…when solutions are not immediately apparent,” reminding them that “integrity means doing the right thing when no one is watching” and that public office “is a sacred trust, not a personal entitlement.”

Senator Alvarado-Gil expressed deep gratitude to the dedicated staff of Senate District 4, who “answer constituent calls, solve problems, navigate complex issues, support community organizations, and ensure that the voices of residents are heard.”

She also thanked the communities of the district, from rural agricultural regions to growing cities and towns, families, small-business owners, educators, first responders, veterans, and volunteers, “for your engagement, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to making your communities better.”

Of her time in the Senate, the next leader of the GOP caucus Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) had this to say:

“When our district was facing the potential release of a sexually violent predator, I witnessed a true advocate for her district and for victims. She fervently spoke in opposition to the release of that predator. Her words genuinely reflected her fight for victims.”

In honoring Senator Alvarado-Gil, Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) discussed Senator Alvarado-Gil’s move from the Democratic to Republican Party:

“She didn’t change parties because it offered an easier road. It actually made her road harder. She did it because she follows her convictions. And when she was removed from her committees, she wasn’t happy about it. But in true Marie fashion, she turned it into an opportunity. If Sacramento wasn’t going to give her a seat at those tables, she would spend more time at the kitchen tables of the people that she represented.”

As she prepares to leave the Senate, Senator Alvarado-Gil reaffirmed her commitment to the people of Senate District 4: “I will continue fighting for you every single day.”

“Together, let us serve with purpose. Let us lead with courage. Let us govern with integrity. And let us leave California stronger, freer, and more prosperous than we found it. Thank you, God bless Senate District 4, and God bless the great State of California.”