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Alex Padilla
California
"Defending The Dream"
2022 midterms
“It is not an exaggeration when we say our democracy is under attack, the stakes are too high. ”
When Joe Biden was elected as the 46th president of the United States and Kamala Harris became the nation’s first Black and Asian vice president, another first was in the works. Soon after the election, Alex Padilla was appointed by Governor Gavin Newson to serve as one of California’s senators, and became the first Latino senator in the state’s history. The appointment was seen as a step in the right direction in the representation of Californians, as Latinos make up 40 percent of the state’s population. A policy wonk with a long history in government (including his previous position as California’s secretary of state), Padilla was the first choice of California’s Democratic establishment. He is the son of two Mexican immigrants, and attended L.A. public schools as a child before heading to MIT. But soon after graduation he returned to the West Coast, where he was elected to the Los Angeles City Council and at 28 served as the youngest president in their 132-year history. He then served in the state legislature before making history again as the state’s first Latino secretary of state, where he was instrumental in working to repeal Proposition 187, a ballot measure that prevented undocumented immigrants from getting state services — an injustice that inspired him to take up politics.
In a recorded video call in May of 2022 between Padilla and Newson where the governor congratulated the new senator, Padilla recalled his childhood and looked towards the future.
“I can’t tell you how many pancakes my dad flipped or eggs he scrambled trying to provide for us, or the many, many years of my mom cleaning houses doing the same thing. That’s why I try so hard to make sure that our democracy is as inclusive in California as we’ve built, and it’s a hell of an important perspective to bring to Washington.”
As the junior U.S. senator from California, Padilla serves as Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety. The first bill he introduced was the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, which creates a faster pathway to citizenship for the over 5 million essential workers without permanent legal status who have kept America running during the pandemic. Fighting for the rights of immigrants like his parents is one of Padilla’s major priorities in the Senate. On the day he introduced the bill, Padilla took to Twitter, writing “Too many immigrants struggle against the arbitrary & unfair rules of our immigration system. Too many lack basic workplace protections. Too many are denied critical aid. And yet, America depends on the labor of immigrants.”
As a senator, Padilla hasn’t concerned himself much with bipartisanship. He supports ending the filibuster and has taken strong stances on issues that make Republicans run for the hills, like reproductive rights, gun control, and climate change. As recent droughts and brush fires have shown, California is especially vulnerable to climate change, and Padilla would like his home state to serve as a model for national progress on the issue.
In regards to his special appointment, Padilla defers to his constituents. “I am glad voters will have their say in two years,” he said in a press briefing.
—Caitlin Lent
Caitlin Lent is a staff writer and media director for Weekly Senator. She is also a photographer and filmmaker. Born and raised in Deep River, Connecticut, she now lives and works in New York City.
Voting Record
During his short tenure in the Senate, Alex Padilla has done a lot. Padilla is deeply invested in the protection of the rights of immigrants. The first bill he introduced to the Senate was the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, which aims to provide expedited citizenship for undocumented immigrants working on the front lines of the pandemic. Padilla has also sponsored several bills concerning the environment, including a clean water bill and the Clean Commute for Kids Act of 2021 which re-implements emission standards for school buses. Earlier in his tenure, he voted to move forward with the impeachment of Donald Trump, and more recently voted to investigate the January 6th riot at the Capitol.
Policy Positions
Reproductive Rights
“I support a woman’s right to choose.Reproductive rights are non-negotiable.” (votesmart.org)
Medicare for All
“It is simply unacceptable that as the wealthiest nation in the world we don’t ensure basic worker benefits across the board. Paid sick leave, parental leave, and Medicare for All would be a good place to start.” (Twitter)
Green New Deal
“It’s good to be back in step with the rest of the world, but we must take action to make up for lost time. The United States of America needs a Green New Deal.” (Twitter)
Gun Control Legislation
“With an ever mounting death toll from gun violence in the U.S., it is paramount that we close loopholes and standardize common sense safety laws across the country.” (Twitter)
Taxation
“I would close corporate tax loopholes and ask multi-millionaires to pay their fair share.” (votesmart.org)
Endorsements
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)
Equality California
Elizabeth Warren
:“When Senator Alex Padilla arrived in DC, he brought a fresh and bold perspective to the Senate, I’m proud to be a co-author of his first bill, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented essential workers. As his seatmate on the Senate floor, I’ve seen firsthand his commitment to using his platform to speak up on behalf of those communities that have long been overlooked by people in power. I look forward to continuing our work together in the Senate, and he has my full support as he seeks re-election in 2022.”
London Breed, San Francisco Mayor
:“Senator Alex Padilla has proved himself to be a powerful advocate for Californians in the U.S. Senate, his strong support for the American Rescue Plan helped bring over $600 million to San Francisco, preventing disastrous budget cuts and layoffs while also allowing us to maintain critical City services and support for those in need. I’m confident that Senator Padilla will continue to deliver for San Franciscans, which is why he has my full support in his campaign for Senate in 2022.”
State: California
As the country’s most populous and third largest state as well as the largest subnational economy in the world, California goes big. If it were a country, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world. Originally part of Mexico (the United States seized it in the Mexican-American War of 1846–48, following its annexation of Texas in 1945), California is today home to a hugely diverse population of immigrants, who make up about a quarter of the foreign-born population nationwide. The state is perhaps best known as the home of Hollywood, a Los Angeles neighborhood whose name has become shorthand for the American film industry. With its sunny climate and beautiful beaches, mountains, and deserts, California has long been perceived as a kind of paradise — but it’s not without its problems. It has the largest unhoused population in the country, and persistent droughts threaten both private homes and businesses, including the state’s agriculture industry, the nation’s largest. Perhaps in part due to the state’s persistent environmental crises, Californians are strong believers in environmentalism — their state has the lowest per capita energy use in the country and one of the nation’s most aggressive renewable energy policies. California is seen as one of the most liberal states in the nation, inspiring the old adage “as California goes, so goes the country.”