Lake County’s representative in the California Senate has been called on to serve as acting governor this week.

Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) has again stepped into the acting governor role, which he also filled briefly earlier this year.

McGuire is handling gubernatorial duties while Gov. Gavin Newsom is in Chicago to participate in the Democratic National Convention, where he’s expected to speak on Tuesday.

“It’s an honor to serve as acting governor of our great state, and a privilege to serve more than 39 million Californians,” McGuire said. “This week, countless families are sending their kids back to school, an exciting rite of passage for all and let’s be candid, a week of nerves for some. Here in California, we have worked hard to ensure that every student is given the same opportunities to learn and thrive in the classroom by being the first state in the country to offer universal free breakfast and lunch to every student – because we know you can’t have a good day at school on an empty stomach. We’ve also funded K-12 public schools and California community colleges at record levels, which is a big boost for student success.”

He added, “And as summer winds to a close, we know fire season continues to ramp up in the hot fall months — stay safe, remain vigilant and make sure you have an evacuation plan. We’ll remain in constant contact with Cal Fire and the state Office of Emergency Services in the coming days, ensuring communities have the resources they need during these hot, dry days.”

McGuire’s North Coast district includes Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties.