Cathleen Galgiani (born January 4, 1964) is an American politician who currently serves in the California State Senate. A Democrat, she was elected to the state senate in the 5th district, having narrowly defeated Republican Bill Berryhill on November 6, 2012.Prior to her own election to the Assembly, Galgiani served as the chief of staff to her predecessor, Barbara Matthews. She served as the consultant to the legislative committee on the development of University of California, Merced.