SACRAMENTO, CA – John Laird was sworn in as a State Senator today to represent the over 900,000 constituents of Senate District 17, which stretches from southern Santa Clara County through Santa Cruz County, coastal and south Monterey County, and south through San Luis Obispo County, including the majestic Carrizo Plain National Monument. Sworn in at noon today, Laird was among nineteen other newly elected or re-elected Senators. The ceremony was markedly different from traditional swearing-in ceremonies due to COVID-19 distancing requirements. No friends, family, or staff members were allowed into the Capitol, which remains closed to all but essential staff.