Posted Sept. 4, 2007 – The Congressional Black Caucus will welcome its newest member today when Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.) is sworn into the 110th Congress.  Richardson, 45, won the special election Aug. 21 to fill the seat in the 37th District left open when Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-Calif.) passed away from cancer April 22, 2007. 

Richardson will be a welcomed addition for the caucus.  There was never any doubt the seat would remain on the Democratic side of the aisle, but speculation ran high that the seat might leave the Black Caucus.  The 37th District is undergoing a change in racial makeup of the community.  When Millender-McDonald won the seat, the community was predominantly African American. By the time she died, the district had a much larger Latino population, which meant that it was no longer a lock for a Black candidate. Broad interest in the seat meant it could wind up in anyone’s hands. Early interest in running for the seat was from a broad base of candidates.  (See my Blog May 1.)

Today will be busy for Richardson because Congress is in full swing.   A former California state representative and member of the Long Beach City Council, she understands what being busy is all about  Richardson began public service after working in the corporate world for Xerox.  She holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California. 

Congressional staffers are working to get Richardson settled into her new office in the Rayburn Building, and the customary swearing-in ceremony will take place later today.  When I called the office to request an interview with the congresswomen, I was put on hold for a few seconds. An out-of-breath receptionist said, “I just started today.”

“No problem,” I thought… “Just imagine what his boss’ first day is like.”