Gov. Jerry Brown calls for Democratic senators to resign

SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Jerry Brown called on three scandal-plagued state senators to resign on Friday, speaking out for the first time on a series of criminal cases that have sapped Democrats’ power in the Capitol and tarnished the Legislature’s image.

Brown’s statement comes hours after the Senate voted to suspend Sens. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), Ronald S. Calderon (D-Montebello) and Roderick D. Wright (D-Inglewood).

“Given the extraordinary circumstances of these cases – and today’s unprecedented suspensions – the best way to restore public confidence is for these senators to resign,” Brown said.

Yee was arrested Wednesday on charges involving allegations of public corruption and conspiring to illegally import guns. Calderon is facing bribery charges stemming from a separate bribery case, and Wright was convicted of voter fraud for not living in the district he’s represented for years.

Friday’s vote was the first time the Senate suspended its own members, and the first time Brown called for their resignations. On Thursday, the governor was more circumspect.

“The governor does not intend to preempt the Legislature or the courts by commenting at this time,” Brown spokesman Evan Westrup said in a statement.

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Twitter: @chrismegerian