By admin 
State Sen. Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks, the affable legislator and former Sacramento County supervisor, is set to take over as the chamber’s Republican leader after the November election.
Read more Transgender girl sues coaches, Sac State over discrimination on youth rowing team
Niello, a member of the family that owns car dealerships in the area, was chosen to replace state Sen. Brian Jones, R-Santee, who is in his final year of office due to term limits. Niello is currently up for reelection, so the job is not guaranteed. But he secured more than 56% of the vote in the June primary for a district that includes Carmichael, Rocklin and Roseville.
“Roger Niello brings decades of experience in business, local government and the Legislature to this role,” said California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin. “He understands the importance of unity and what we can accomplish when Republican leaders, candidates, the party, donors and grassroots activists work together as one team.”
The news comes a week after Assembly Republicans also changed their leader as the Legislature is set to ends its work for the year this month. This decision appears to be less contentious. Niello was elected unanimously, according to his office, the transition is still months away and he is taking over for a legislator who hit term limits.
Jones, in a statement, said Republicans were in good hands for the future.
Niello serves as the vice chair of the Senate’s budget committee and is a frequent critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislators for how they handle the state’s finances. The state has largely avoided budget deficits because of a wave of tax revenue due to large and persistent gains in the stock market.
Read more California climber who set Yosemite speed record dies after Sierra Nevada fall
He started out as a certified public accountant before joining the family automotive group where he worked for 25 years, according to his Senate website. Niello served on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors from 1999 to 2004 and was then elected to the Assembly.
He later became CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and was elected to the Senate in 2022.
“The Senate Republican Caucus is filled with passionate, intelligent, and hardworking public servants, and it will be my honor to serve as the minority leader,” Niello said in a statement. “We will fight for Californians who deserve an affordable, safe state where people and families can thrive.”
Read more Transgender girl sues coaches, Sac State over discrimination on youth rowing team
This story was originally published August 11, 2026 at 4:55 PM.