Gov. Gavin Newsom administered the oath of office to new California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber on Friday, January 29, 2021. Courtesy photo. On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom swore in San Diego Assemblymember and Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus Dr. Shirley N. Weber as California secretary of state. Dr. Weber is California’s first Black secretary of state. “On the eve of Black History Month, California once again makes history in swearing in Dr. Weber as secretary of state,” said Gov. Newsom. “As the state’s chief elections officer, Dr. Weber will continue her lifelong dedication to defending civil rights and will undertake a vital role in protecting our democratic process at a critical time.”