State Sen. Rubio resigned suddenly on Friday (Office of the California Senate, Wikimedia Commons)

Rubio, a democrat from East Bakersfield, will begin a new job with Chevron Corporation, according to the Sacramento Bee.

In a press release entitled "Family Comes First," Rubio wrote that "My time serving…has been a blessing, but it has also been a challenge. I have missed too many family dinners, bedtime stories and parent-teacher conferences…Our youngest child, who has special needs, has given me great perspective as to life's priorities and our eldest has reminded me that the most critical decisions are made at home and not under the Capitol dome."

The Los Angeles Times reported that Rubio's decision came as a surprise to many who viewed the young Senator as one to watch, particularly in light of his engagement with California's environmental laws reform.

A special election will be held to fill the vacant seat.

For a look at how Gov. Jerry Brown is addressing vacancies in the legislature, see the Los Angeles Times.

To learn about reform of the California Environmental Quality Act, see the SF Examiner.

For more Neon Tommy coverage of California politics, go here.

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