By the Daily Post staff
Josh Becker, who was elected to represent the mid-Peninsula in the state Senate replacing term-limited Jerry Hill, is now picking his staff.
On Sunday, the Menlo Park Democrat announced Bryan King will be his chief of staff and Nicole Fernandez will serve as his district director. Both are veterans of the Sacramento law-making scene.
King has nearly a decade of experience in the state Senate, most recently working as legislative director for state Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa County.
Legislative experience
King has also played a leadership role in key legislative races across the state, having served as senior advisor to the California Senate Democrats.
He managed negotiations on legislation that created the California Promise Program at the CSU, which has played a role in the university system realizing a 12% increase in its four-year graduation rate for first-time students over five years.
King has also worked on high-profile criminal justice reform and transparency measures, including spearheading legislation requiring the recording of interrogations of juveniles suspected of homicide. The legislation was later expanded to include all homicide interrogations.
King has family ties to the mid-Peninsula.
Becker selects county Dem chair
Fernandez is a veteran of the Legislature, having previously served on staff with three local legislators including as a senior field representative for five years under outgoing Sen. Hill.
Fernandez is a lifelong resident of the Peninsula where she currently serves as chairwoman of the San Mateo County Democratic Party.
“I love the Peninsula and our residents, and can’t wait to connect with the district’s diverse constituencies on behalf of Senator Becker,” said Fernandez.
Becker’s Senate District 13 encompasses nearly all of San Mateo County and portions of northern Santa Clara County including Palo Alto.
“I’m ready to serve the residents of SD 13, and pleased to have Bryan and Nicole on my team,” said Becker.
The appointments of King, who is Filipino-American, and Fernandez, who is Pakistani-American, make them the only chief of staff/district director leadership team of Asian Pacific Islander heritage serving a current member of the California State Senate, according to a statement from Becker’s office.
