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Alex Padilla

Updated: Wikipedia source

Alex Padilla

Alejandro "Alex" Padilla (born March 22, 1973) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from California, a seat he has held since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, Padilla served as the 30th secretary of state of California from 2015 to 2021 and was a member of the California State Senate and the Los Angeles City Council. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Padilla to the United States Senate after then-Senator Kamala Harris was elected vice president of the United States; Harris, as the newly elected vice president and president of the Senate, swore Padilla in on January 20, 2021. In dual November 2022 elections, Padilla won a special election to complete Harris's term as well as election to a full Senate term, defeating Republican nominee Mark Meuser in both. Padilla became California's senior senator on September 29, 2023, upon the death of Dianne Feinstein.

Infobox

Preceded by
Richard Alarcon
Governor
Jerry BrownGavin Newsom
Succeeded by
Richard Alarcon
Born
Alejandro Padilla (1973-03-22) March 22, 1973 (age 52)Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party
Democratic
Spouse
mw- Angela Monzon (m. 2012)
Children
3
Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS)
Website
Senate websiteCampaign website
Party
Democratic

Tables

· Electoral history
Total
Total
Year
Total
Office
%
Party
P.
Party
Total
Primary
%
Primary
mw- ±%
Primary
P.
1999
1999
Year
1999
Office
Los Angeles City Council
Party
Non-partisan
Primary
6,932
Primary
47.9%
Primary
1st
General
9,188
General
66.8%
General
N/A
General
1st
Result
Won
Swing
N/A
2001
2001
Year
2001
Party
Non-partisan
Party
18,593
Primary
100.0%
Primary
1st
Primary
N/A
General
Won
General
N/A
2005
2005
Year
2005
Party
Non-partisan
Party
13,482
Primary
100.0%
Primary
1st
Primary
N/A
General
Won
General
N/A
2006
2006
Year
2006
Office
State Senator
Party
Democratic
Primary
24,303
Primary
55.8%
Primary
1st
General
84,459
General
74.85%
General
–25.15%
General
1st
Result
Won
Swing
Hold
2010
2010
Year
2010
Party
Democratic
Party
26,431
Primary
100.0%
Primary
1st
Primary
94,356
General
68.34%
General
–6.51%
General
1st
General
Won
Swing
Hold
2014
2014
Year
2014
Office
Secretary of State
Party
Democratic
Primary
1,217,371
Primary
30.24%
Primary
1st
General
3,799,711
General
53.63%
General
+0.45%
General
1st
Result
Won
Swing
Hold
2018
2018
Year
2018
Party
Democratic
Party
3,475,643
Primary
52.56%
Primary
1st
Primary
7,909,521
General
64.45%
General
+10.82%
General
1st
General
Won
Swing
Hold
2022
2022
Year
2022
Office
U.S. Senator (short term)
Party
Democratic
Primary
3,740,582
Primary
54.98%
Primary
1st
General
6,559,303
General
60.89%
General
N/A
General
1st
Result
Won
Swing
Hold
U.S. Senator (full term)
U.S. Senator (full term)
Year
U.S. Senator (full term)
Party
Democratic
Party
3,725,544
Primary
54.12%
Primary
1st
Primary
6,621,616
General
61.06%
General
N/A
General
1st
General
Won
Swing
Hold
Year
Office
Party
Primary
General
Result
Swing
Ref.
Total
%
P.
Total
%
mw- ±%
P.
1999
Los Angeles City Council
Non-partisan
6,932
47.9%
1st
9,188
66.8%
N/A
1st
Won
N/A
2001
Non-partisan
18,593
100.0%
1st
N/A
Won
N/A
2005
Non-partisan
13,482
100.0%
1st
N/A
Won
N/A
2006
State Senator
Democratic
24,303
55.8%
1st
84,459
74.85%
–25.15%
1st
Won
Hold
2010
Democratic
26,431
100.0%
1st
94,356
68.34%
–6.51%
1st
Won
Hold
2014
Secretary of State
Democratic
1,217,371
30.24%
1st
3,799,711
53.63%
+0.45%
1st
Won
Hold
2018
Democratic
3,475,643
52.56%
1st
7,909,521
64.45%
+10.82%
1st
Won
Hold
2022
Senator (short term)
Democratic
3,740,582
54.98%
1st
6,559,303
60.89%
N/A
1st
Won
Hold
Senator (full term)
Democratic
3,725,544
54.12%
1st
6,621,616
61.06%
N/A
1st
Won
Hold
· External links
Preceded byRuth Galanter
Preceded byRuth Galanter
Political offices
Preceded byRuth Galanter
Political offices
President of the Los Angeles City Council 2001–2006
Political offices
Succeeded byEric Garcetti
Preceded byDebra Bowen
Preceded byDebra Bowen
Political offices
Preceded byDebra Bowen
Political offices
Secretary of State of California 2015–2021
Political offices
Succeeded byJames SchwabActing
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate
Political offices
U.S. Senate
Preceded byKamala Harris
Preceded byKamala Harris
Political offices
Preceded byKamala Harris
Political offices
U.S. Senator (Class 3) from California 2021–present Served alongside: Dianne Feinstein, Laphonza Butler, Adam Schiff
Political offices
Incumbent
Preceded byDeb Fischer
Preceded byDeb Fischer
Political offices
Preceded byDeb Fischer
Political offices
Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee 2025–present
Party political offices
Party political offices
Political offices
Party political offices
Preceded byKamala Harris
Preceded byKamala Harris
Political offices
Preceded byKamala Harris
Political offices
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from California(Class 3) 2022
Political offices
Most recent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Political offices
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byRaphael Warnock
Preceded byRaphael Warnock
Political offices
Preceded byRaphael Warnock
Political offices
Order of precedence of the United States as United States Senator
Political offices
Succeeded byJohn Fetterman
Preceded byTommy Tuberville
Preceded byTommy Tuberville
Political offices
Preceded byTommy Tuberville
Political offices
United States senators by seniority 77th
Political offices
Succeeded byJon Ossoff
Political offices
Preceded byRuth Galanter
President of the Los Angeles City Council 2001–2006
Succeeded byEric Garcetti
Preceded byDebra Bowen
Secretary of State of California 2015–2021
Succeeded byJames SchwabActing
Senate
Preceded byKamala Harris
Senator (Class 3) from California 2021–present Served alongside: Dianne Feinstein, Laphonza Butler, Adam Schiff
Incumbent
Preceded byDeb Fischer
Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee 2025–present
Party political offices
Preceded byKamala Harris
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from California(Class 3) 2022
Most recent
order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byRaphael Warnock
Order of precedence of the United States as United States Senator
Succeeded byJohn Fetterman
Preceded byTommy Tuberville
United States senators by seniority 77th
Succeeded byJon Ossoff

References

  1. General election cancelled for a non-partisan office when candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary
  2. The most recent election for this seat was between two Democrats, so there can be no percent change.
  3. Sos.ca.gov
    https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/news-releases-and-advisories/2021-news-releases-and-advisories/ap21003
  4. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-california-us-senate.html
  5. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2021/01/11/new-government-with-alex-padilla/
  6. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/22/us/politics/alex-padilla-kamala-california-senate.html
  7. Los Angeles Times
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121105170408/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/may/07/local/me-council7/2
  8. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2025/06/19/alex-padilla-handcuffed/
  9. Los Angeles Magazine
    http://www.kevinroderick.com/evalley.html
  10. The Tech
    http://tech.mit.edu/V119/N30/30padilla.30n.html
  11. Coro Southern California
    https://corola.org/programs/fppa/
  12. MIT Spectrum
    http://spectrum.mit.edu/articles/normal/coming-home/
  13. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/07/us/public-lives-a-quick-climb-up-the-los-angeles-political-ladder.html
  14. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jul-04-me-18577-story.html
  15. Allgov.com
    http://www.allgov.com/usa/ca/officials/california_padilla_alex?officialid=29980
  16. NALEO
    https://naleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12_22_2020_-_NALEO_Release_-_Padilla_Nominated_Senate_-_FINAL.pdf
  17. Los Angeles City Council press release
    http://ens.lacity.org/council/cd7/oldarticles/cd7press15633031_10212005.pdf
  18. Political Breakdown
    https://www.kqed.org/news/11852499/political-breakdown-special-alex-padilla-is-californias-next-u-s-senator
  19. FOX 11
    https://www.foxla.com/news/alex-padilla-talks-senate-agenda-familys-immigrant-story-and-ending-the-filibuster
  20. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-07-me-53709-story.html
  21. KTLA
    https://ktla.com/news/local-news/alex-padilla-has-been-rising-political-star-since-his-20s-when-he-became-l-a-s-youngest-councilmember/
  22. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-sep-13-me-45149-story.html
  23. "2nd State Senate District Results"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141020235251/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2010-general/69-state-senate.pdf
  24. Sos.ca.gov
    https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/about-alex-padilla
  25. San Francisco Chronicle
    https://blog.sfgate.com/politics/2012/08/25/20-latino-political-rising-stars-of-2012-with-photo-gallery/
  26. "California to Become First State to Ban the Bag"
    https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2015/8/15/california-bans-the-plastic-ban-statewide
  27. Californians Against Waste
    https://www.cawrecycles.org/press-releases/986snelw3nc4awlwrhyrbfz2f5j57b
  28. KPBS Public Media
    https://www.kpbs.org/news/2008/02/21/on-menu-calorie-count-back-on-the-state
  29. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-30-me-arnold30-story.html
  30. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-xpm-2013-apr-11-la-me-pc-padilla-candidate-20130411-story.html
  31. Former Sen. Yee changes plea to guilty Archived August 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, San Francisco Chronicle, July 1
    http://m.sfgate.com/crime/article/Former-Sen-Leland-Yee-changes-plea-to-guilty-in-6360935.php
  32. "Statement of Vote November 4, 2014, General Election"
    http://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2014-general/pdf/2014-complete-sov.pdf
  33. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-201706-htmlstory.html
  34. "Secretary of State Alex Padilla Responds to Presidential Election Commission Request for Personal Data of California Voters"
    https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/news-releases-and-advisories/2017-news-releases-and-advisories/secretary-state-alex-padilla-responds-presidential-election-commission-request-personal-data-california-voters
  35. "Secretary of State - Statewide Results"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20181129230918/https://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/secretary-of-state
  36. Politico PRO
    https://politi.co/37cQ4gR
  37. Spectrumnews1.com
    https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/politics/2020/10/17/dispute-over-unofficial-ballot-boxes-continues-in-california
  38. "State GOP Says It Will Not Remove Unofficial Ballot Drop Boxes"
    https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/10/16/california-republican-party-unofficial-ballot-drop-boxes-election-2020/
  39. Sports.yahoo.com
    https://sports.yahoo.com/padilla-unofficial-ballot-drop-boxes-230023701.html
  40. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/california-fake-ballot-boxes-republican-gop-2020-election-b1041483.html
  41. Politico PRO
    https://politi.co/2Fxtqo4
  42. Politico PRO
    https://politi.co/375uefg
  43. The Sacramento Bee
    https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article247389635.html
  44. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-24/newsom-lawmakers-agree-to-pay-pro-biden-firm-for-california-voter-education-contract
  45. CalMatters
    https://calmatters.org/politics/2020/11/biden-firm-california-vote-contract-padilla-yee/
  46. KXTV
    https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/padilla-newsom-election-contract/103-b443ae08-4522-494c-aa93-cb114aa1427f
  47. Kcra.com
    https://www.kcra.com/article/gov-newsom-nominates-shirley-weber-as-californias-first-black-secretary-of-state/35050101
  48. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/26/alex-padilla-latino-victory-kamala-harris-402034
  49. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-07/kamala-harris-successor-california-senator
  50. San Francisco Chronicle
    https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Kamala-Harris-Senate-seat-vacant-Newsom-appoint-21-15691223.php
  51. EFE
    https://www.efe.com/efe/usa/politica/promueven-al-latino-alex-padilla-para-ocupar-curul-de-kamala-harris-en-senado/50000105-4328524
  52. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/dianne-feinstein-wants-alex-padilla-replace-kamala-harris-senate-n1249773
  53. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/dianne-feinstein-wants-alex-padilla-replace-kamala-harris-senate-n1249773
  54. Gov.ca.gov
    https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/01/29/governor-newsom-swears-in-dr-shirley-weber-as-california-secretary-of-state/
  55. AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-barbara-lee-immigration-california-alex-padilla-41137f888c5c08b0103c0b19ebdfe009
  56. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-09-27/californians-will-vote-four-times-in-2022-for-the-same-us-senate-seat
  57. "Statement of Candidacy, Alex Padilla, FEC.gov"
    https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/S2CA00955/1483820/
  58. Vox.com
    https://www.vox.com/2021/1/20/22240897/alex-padilla-california-latino-senator
  59. ABC7 Los Angeles
    https://abc7.com/california-public-land-senator-alex-padilla-bill-climate-change/10575087/
  60. AP NEWS
    https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-travel-climate-change-environment-and-nature-4e5715b7e372ad9bf0d64290553fb4e2
  61. The Daily Californian
    https://www.dailycal.org/2021/06/30/ca-sen-alex-padilla-announces-legislation-to-protect-coastal-communities/
  62. "How often every member of Congress voted with Biden in 2023"
    https://abcnews.go.com/538/member-congress-voted-biden-2023/story?id=106718543
  63. NBC Los Angeles
    https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/alex-padilla-noem-los-angeles-protests/3722522/
  64. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/12/los-angeles-protests-alex-padilla-kristi-noem
  65. MSNBC.com
    https://www.msnbc.com/the-beat-with-ari/watch/first-on-msnbc-sen-padilla-on-his-dhs-removal-handcuffing-241489477532
  66. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/alex-padilla-kristi-noem-fbi-escort-b2769686.html
  67. POLITICO
    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/17/alex-padilla-brad-lander-arrest-00411576
  68. San Francisco Chronicle
    https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/words-led-padilla-confront-noem-set-storm-20376193.php
  69. The New York Times
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250614082142/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/12/us/politics/senator-alex-padilla-handcuffed.html
  70. AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/alex-padilla-noem-immigration-protest-california-f67d220a0254473c53c16aa96f554239
  71. the Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jun/12/la-protests-los-angeles-california-curfew-ice-immigration-marines-national-guard-donald-trump-latest-updates?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-684b57ac8f08fa293877a0a2#block-684b57ac8f08fa293877a0a2
  72. ABC7 Los Angeles
    https://abc7.com/post/california-sen-alex-padilla-democrats-write-letter-trump-administration-remove-military-forces-los-angeles/16759487/
  73. Judiciary.senate.gov
    https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/subcommittees
  74. "Congressional Hispanic Caucus Welcomes Senator Alex Padilla"
    https://chc.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-hispanic-caucus-welcomes-senator-alex-padilla
  75. Americans for the Arts
    https://www.americansforthearts.org/advocate/house-and-senate-cultural-caucuses
  76. "CAPAC Welcomes New Associate Members"
    https://capac-chu.house.gov/press-release/capac-welcomes-new-associate-members-117th-congress
  77. EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases
    https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/
  78. www.armed-services.senate.gov
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  79. The Wall Street Journal
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-governor-picks-alex-padilla-to-fill-harriss-senate-seat-11608660041
  80. FiveThirtyEight
    https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/californias-new-senator-will-make-history-but-can-he-win-a-full-term-in-2022/
  81. "2012 State Legislative Ratings"
    http://acuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/01/CLA_California_2012.pdf
  82. Sgate.com
    https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Alex-Padilla-Medicare-for-All-Green-New-Deal-tweet-15882640.php
  83. Twitter
    https://twitter.com/AlexPadilla4CA/status/957759195901845509
  84. California Newswire
    https://californianewswire.com/calif-senator-alex-padilla-highlights-2013-legislative-accomplishments-begins-final-year-state-senate/
  85. Leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
    http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=200720080SB1770
  86. NARAL Pro-Choice America
    https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/2018/06/06/naral-pro-choice-america-congratulates-endorsed-california-candidates-on-primary-victories/
  87. Twitter
    https://twitter.com/SenAlexPadilla/status/1540353827672580101
  88. The Hill
    https://thehill.com/homenews/house/576814-pelosi-on-addressing-climate-through-reconciliation-package-this-is-our-moment/
  89. Senator Alex Padilla
    https://www.padilla.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/padilla-joins-markey-ocasio-cortez-to-reintroduce-green-new-deal/
  90. League of Conservation Voters Scorecard
    https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/alex-padilla
  91. Colorado Public Radio
    https://www.cpr.org/2025/06/10/fix-our-forests-act-wildfire-prevention/
  92. Fox40.com
    https://fox40.com/news/california-connection/padilla-backs-legislation-to-fast-track-citizenship-for-undocumented-essential-workers/
  93. Newsweek
    https://www.newsweek.com/incoming-senator-alex-padilla-looks-lead-immigration-targets-cruz-hawley-1562729
  94. "Who is Alex Padilla? California's new senator has broken ground in state politics for two decades"
    https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Who-is-Alex-Padilla-California-s-new-senator-15822135.php
  95. "Alex Padilla Senate pick makes history but leaves California with $34 million bill"
    https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article248032375.html
  96. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/12/politics/california-ballot-drop-boxes
  97. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/us/politics/california-gop-drop-boxes.html
  98. "california u s senator alex padilla-introduces legislation to allow puerto rico to determine its political status"
    https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/51295-california-u-s-senator-alex-padilla-introduces-legislation-to-allow-puerto-rico-to-determine-its-political-status#google_vignette
  99. "Roll Call Vote 118th Congress - 2nd Session"
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  100. Los Angeles Times
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  101. KQED
    https://www.kqed.org/news/10855874/californias-secretary-of-state-shares-his-personal-story-as-a-porter-ranch-refugee
  102. Primary election: City of Los Angeles Primary Nominating Election Final Results April 13, 1999 General election: City of
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  103. ens.lacity.org
    https://ens.lacity.org/clk/elections/ND4654.htm
  104. "City of Los Angeles Primary Nominating & Consolidated Elections Official Election Results March 8, 2005"
    https://ens.lacity.org/clk/elections/clkelections110830685_06282005.pdf
  105. elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov
    https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2006-primary/2006_sov.pdf
  106. elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov
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  107. sos.ca.gov
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  108. elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov
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  109. elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov
    https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2022-primary/sov/16-summary.pdf
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