San Bernardino Democrat Gloria Negrete-McLeod resigned her seat in the California state senate on Wednesday to become a new member of the US House of Representatives.

Her departure sets in motion a game of musical chairs that could last through the fall.

Assemblywoman Norma Torres (D-Pomona)  has said she'll run against San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller Larry Walker for the 32nd state senate district. 

Governor Jerry Brown has to pick a date for a special election — that’s at least 4 months off. A primary election a couple of months before that could resolve the matter if one candidate wins a majority of votes. Otherwise, the two candidates with the most votes progress to a general election.  Under that scenario, the 32nd District could remain vacant through April.

Even with the seat open, state senate Democrats still control a supermajority that empowers them to raise taxes without Republican votes. 

But if Assemblywoman Torres wins the state senate, Assembly Democrats – who also hold a supermajority – would lose it.  Torres’ seat in the Assembly would stay open until voters decide who should fill it during another special election in late Summer or Fall.