State Sen. Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, has taken the helm as Colorado Senate minority leader – one of the four highest-ranking positions in the Legislature.

Garcia, 36, is the first Pueblo lawmaker in the legislative leadership since Lola Spradley served as the first woman speaker of the Colorado House in 2003 and 2004. Prior to Spradley’s milestone, Pueblo Democrat Bill Thiebaut was Senate majority leader and fellow Democrat Larry Trujillo was Senate minority leader from 1988 to 1993. Trujillo also served as House minority leader in 1985 and 1986.

Ending the 14-year gap for Pueblo in leadership, Garcia was elected by Senate Democrats to be their party leader to succeed Lucia Guzman, who stepped down. The leaders are chosen by fellow party members, whether they be in the majority or the minority of the House and Senate, respectively.

Read more at The Pueblo Chieftain.