October 9, 2025 — The chatter of early-morning conversation filled the banquet room at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District as local business leaders gathered for breakfast and a hot topic in California politics. The crowd fell quiet as State Senator Shannon Grove took the microphone, ready to talk about the issues that matter most to the Central Valley.
Hosted by the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, the October edition of Wake Up Clovis featured Grove as the guest speaker, drawing one of the largest turnouts of the year. The Bakersfield-based senator represents much of the Central Valley and has built a reputation for her outspoken advocacy on energy, business, and public safety.
“We were thrilled to have Senator Grove come up from Bakersfield and visit us here in Clovis,” said Greg Newman, CEO of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce. “She’s a passionate speaker who really understands the Valley and works hard to make sure Sacramento hears our voice.”
During the discussion, Grove touched on several key legislative updates, including the Private Attorney General Act (PAGA), which continues to be a major concern for California businesses. She also spoke about upcoming bills she plans to introduce when the legislature reconvenes in January—among them, stronger penalties for juveniles who commit violent crimes with intent to kill, follow-up legislation to a human trafficking bill, and continued efforts to stabilize fuel prices statewide.
Although she joked about her tendency to “tell stories” instead of keeping her answers brief, Grove said she was impressed by the high level of engagement from local business owners and community members in attendance.
“I’m glad that these business owners came and got involved,” Grove said. “Everybody should be engaged in the process because policymakers dictate the way we live. The more people participate, the stronger our communities become.”
Grove also spoke candidly about the Central Valley’s often-overlooked role in California politics. While large regions like Los Angeles and the Bay Area have dozens of legislators, the Central Valley is represented by just a handful of senators—a fact Grove believes contributes to misunderstanding about the Valley’s importance.
“This district includes three of the top food-producing counties in the world,” she said. “We’re also one of the top energy-producing regions in the western United States. We grow the food people eat and produce the energy that powers their homes, people need to recognize and respect that.”
Newman agreed that Grove’s appearance reflected both her commitment and the growing political engagement of Valley residents.
“Senator Grove has a huge following,” he said. “She’s been around politics for a long time, and when the word got out that she was going to be here, it filled the room. It was definitely one of our best events of the year.”
The Wake Up Clovis series, which aims to “inspire, educate, and inform,” hosts about ten events each year, featuring speakers from across industries and levels of government. The final event of 2025 is scheduled for November and will feature Clovis Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua.
As the morning wrapped up, attendees lingered to thank Grove and share their thoughts. It was a reminder that, even in a state as large as California, the heart of political conversation still beats strongest in communities like Clovis—where local voices refuse to go unheard.