Lucy Killea

Who is Lucy Killea?

Lucy Killea is a former California state senator. She was elected in a special election in 1989, replacing Larry Stirling as the senator for California's 39th State Senate district. Controversy surrounded the election as Leo Thomas Maher, the Catholic bishop of San Diego, prohibited Killea from receiving communion because she was pro-choice; she was the first politician to be punished in such a way for her political views. The incident brought publicity to her candidacy and gained her the voters' sympathy, winning her the election. Killea was subsequently re-elected in 1992, switching from the Democratic Party to Independent. She left office in 1996 due to California term limits.