California U.S. Senator (Class 3) — Alex Padilla
Alex Padilla, born March 22, 1973, is California's first Latino U.S. Senator and the state's senior senator since Dianne Feinstein's death in 2023. Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in December 2020 to fill Kamala Harris's seat after she became Vice President, Padilla was elected to a full term in 2022 with 61.1% of the vote. An MIT-educated engineer and lifelong Californian from Pacoima, he champions voting rights, climate action, and immigrant rights as a progressive problem-solver with a strong voting rights record from his tenure as California Secretary of State.
Fight for comprehensive immigration reform and provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented essential workers
Status: in-progress
His first bill as senator, the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, seeks to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in essential sectors during COVID-19. In January 2026, he introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act with Senator Cory Booker to end private for-profit detention facilities and increase federal oversight. However, legislative progress has been blocked by Republican control of Congress. Padilla remains a leading voice on immigration rights and has actively opposed Trump administration enforcement policies.
Defend and protect voting rights, fight voter suppression, and ensure election integrity
Status: ongoing
As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, Padilla has been a leading Democratic voice against the SAVE America Act, which he characterizes as a voter suppression bill. He successfully led Democratic efforts to block voter suppression amendments in March 2026. In February 2026, Padilla opposed proposed voter ID legislation, calling it a voter suppression and purge bill. He has repeatedly taken to the Senate floor to defend voting rights, and co-sponsored legislation to prevent voter purges and protect election integrity.
Champion climate action and environmental protection
Status: in-progress
Padilla received a 100% score from the League of Conservation Voters in 2021. He supports the Green New Deal and stated during budgetary discussions in 2021 that climate cannot be on the chopping block. In April 2025, he introduced the Fix Our Forests Act with Senators Hickenlooper, Curtis, and Sheehy to improve forest management for wildfire risk reduction. He also introduced the Save Our Sequoias Act in March 2026 and the Health Investment Zones Act.
Provide affordable healthcare and support Medicare for All
Status: blocked
Padilla co-authored a Medicare for All bill with Senator Bernie Sanders and declared support for this policy upon entering the Senate in January 2021. However, with Republican control of Congress, the legislation has not passed. He has not introduced standalone healthcare legislation in the 119th Congress despite co-sponsoring various health-related bills.
Reduce costs for working families (housing affordability, healthcare, energy)
Status: in-progress
Padilla has criticized the Trump administration's policies, arguing that focus should be on bringing down costs for working families. In March 2026 floor speeches, he highlighted that while Republicans debate voter suppression bills, healthcare costs, grocery bills, and energy prices are rising. He introduced the Pay FEMA Personnel Act of 2026 and Health Investment Zones Act. However, no major legislation reducing costs has passed during his tenure with Republican control.