Nielsen tapped for caucus whip

Newly elected Sen. Jim Nielsen has been appointed to serve as caucus whip by Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff.

"I am honored to have Sen. Nielsen on our leadership team. He will play a key role in advancing our common-sense agenda to carefully oversee the operations of state government," said Huff, R-Diamond Bar.

Nielsen, R-Gerber, is no novice in the leadership role. He served in the same role Huff has now when he was in the Senate previously. He was the minority leader from 1983 until 1987.

That experience was listed as one of the reasons for Nielsen's selection as Whip.

The whip assists fellow Republicans in managing the party's legislative agenda, and is charged with keeping the party vote in line.

"California continues to face many challenges," Nielsen said in a statement. "It is imperative that Senate Republicans speak with a united voice and advocate for policies that will help improve the economy so more Californians can get back to work."

Nielsen was elected to the 4th Senate District seat with 66.6 percent of the vote in the Jan. 8 special run-off election to complete the term of now US Rep. Doug LaMalfa.