Three Senators Leave for Congress

The Senate Daily Journal for January 5th is now online, containing the resignation letters for State Senators Mark DeSaulnier, Steve Knight and Mimi Walters.

It’s notable that all three letters arrived on different days and all three specified different days and times for the respective resignations to take place. DeSaulnier wrote his letter before Christmas, resigning at 11:59 p.m. on January 2nd, Walters wrote a January 3rd letter resigning effective that same day. Knight’s letter (dated January 5th) resigned effective that day.

Senator DeSaulnier wrote his letter with “great sadness and joy…”

December 23, 2014
The Honorable Kevin de León
President pro Tempore of the Senate
Dear Senator De León:
It has been an honor to represent the Seventh Senate District for the last six years. As you know, I was elected to the 11th Congressional District in November. So it is with great sadness and joy that I write to tender my resignation from the State Senate effective at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2015. I will miss all of my colleagues, the staff at the Senate Desk and the Senate Sergeants and all the people that make the Senate a wonderful place to work.
Sincerely,
MARK DESAULNIER
Senator, 7th District

Walters, who had a contentious relationship with De Leon during her time in the Senate, wrote:

January 3, 2015
The Honorable Kevin de León
President pro Tempore of the Senate
Dear Senator De León:
Effective January 3, 2015, I resign my seat as State Senator, District 37. I am grateful for the time I spent with my fellow Senators and look forward to further serving the great state of California in Congress.
Respectfully,
MIMI WALTERS
Senator, 37th District

Steve Knight, who apparently understood that although the Congressional term began January 3rd, he would not be sworn in until the 6th, wrote the following:

January 5, 2015
The Honorable Kevin de León
President pro Tempore of the Senate
Dear Senator De León:
It has been an honor and privilege to be a member of this august body and to serve the constituents of the 21st Senate District. In November, I was chosen by the voters to represent them in Washington D.C., and I will be sworn-in to the 114th United States Congress on January 6, 2015. Therefore, although bitter-sweet, I am resigning from the California State Senate effective January 5, 2015. Thank you for the comradery and friendship.
Sincerely,
STEVE KNIGHT
Senator, 21st District

Governor Brown has yet to call the Special Election to fill these three vacancies.