As they take office, new Bay Area congressmembers pledge to bring bold solutions and protect their diverse constituencies

Following a tense vote on the House floor to re-elect U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson as Speaker, the Louisiana Republican swore in the 119th Congress on Friday afternoon, including the Bay Area delegation’s newest members: Sam Liccardo and Lateefah Simon.

Liccardo and Simon — both Democrats — begin their careers on Capitol Hill at a time when Republicans narrowly control Congress and Donald Trump begins his second term in the White House on Jan. 20.

Liccardo, the former mayor of San Jose, replaces Anna Eshoo in District 16 that covers parts of the South Bay and the Peninsula, while Simon, an ex-BART board member, takes over Barbara Lee’s District 12 seat in the East Bay. Eshoo and Lee were longstanding members of Congress, having served since 1993 and 1998 respectively.

In the next two years, Simon said her priority “is to fight for the people of California’s 12th district — advancing bold solutions on housing, mental health, public safety, reproductive health and so much more — especially in the face of Republican attacks.”

“The road ahead will be tough, but I am committed to serving and protecting the diverse communities of California’s 12th Congressional District,” Simon added.

In an interview with this news organization, Liccardo said he’s “looking forward to the opportunity to put together first pieces of legislation” — likely dealing with high housings costs and the cost of childcare.

“I’m fired up because I think this is an opportunity at a perilous time for this country to be able to demonstrate to the American people that we’re still the country capable of mustering the resolve to overcome our biggest challenges,” he said.

Liccardo said swearing-in day was “something of an adventure,” calling it a “lively atmosphere on the floor” as they cast their votes for the next speaker.

He confirmed that he landed the ground-floor office that used to belong to George Santos — a former Republican representative from New York who was expelled from Congress in 2023 after he was indicted on nearly two dozen criminal charges including wire fraud and identity theft.

“The incense burning has commenced,” Liccardo joked.

Simon, who was seen taking selfies on the House floor Friday with Squad members Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), said in a statement to this news organization that it’s an “honor” to have been elected to serve California’s 12th congressional district.

“I have spent my entire life fighting for justice, and the most vulnerable communities, and I’m excited to bring that fight to Congress now,” she said.

Rep. Ro Khanna, whose district borders Liccardo’s to the east, told this news organization that “times of crisis are times of renewal and reform.”

“This is a time for new voices to be emerging in our party,” he said, referring to Liccardo and Simon. “We need new voices. The status quo obviously didn’t work. It was a failure and it’s time for having new bold leaders and new voices, and they represent a part of that generation.”

Khanna said he hopes Liccardo will become a “strong champion of technology and innovation,” noting that the former mayor is “deeply well-respected among tech leaders and entrepreneurs and truly gets the Silicon Valley economy.”

The congressmember said that Simon is someone who he admires when it comes to her “commitment to social justice” and creating economic opportunities for everyone. Khanna said he hopes Simon — a progressive like her predecessor — “gives voice to Barbara Lee’s values and champions them.”

Rep. Kevin Mullin, whose 15th district borders Liccardo’s to the north, said in a statement that “the Bay Area has been experiencing a historic shift amongst its congressional delegation the past few years.” A former California assemblymember, Mullin assumed his congressional office in 2023 and called his first term “an instructive experience.”

With the Republicans holding a slight majority in Congress, Mullin said that they’ll need to “find bipartisan common ground to work on the issues that matter most to everyday families.”

“Rep. Simon and Rep. Liccardo bring valuable experiences and insights to our delegation representing the San Francisco Bay Area in Congress, and I’m proud to be sworn in with them as colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives,” he said.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, whose district covers parts of the East Bay, said in a statement that Liccardo and Simon “are more than ready to take on Washington and help shape critical policy.”

“Congress is a place for dialogue, collaboration, and sometimes compromise, but it’s also where leadership, integrity and courage can make a lasting impact,” he said. “I’m confident they will both step up to the plate, and I look forward to working with them to strengthen our nation.”

Earlier in the day, Vice President Kamala Harris also swore in California’s newest senator, Adam Schiff. The Democrat, who previously represented parts of Los Angeles County in the House of Representatives, succeeds Laphonza Butler, who was appointed after the death of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

In a statement, Schiff said that he is “deeply grateful, profoundly hopeful and more committed than ever to delivering for the Golden State.”

“We must work to ensure that every Californian can share in what our state has to offer,” he said. “And that starts with the work necessary to build more housing and lower the cost of living. To create an economy that works for everyone and protects our planet for generations to come. And to defend our democracy and preserve the institutions that make progress possible and lasting change achievable.”