Kamala Harris Resigns Senate, Alex Padilla Formally Appointed

CALIFORNIA, CA — Vice president-elect Kamala Harris officially relinquished her senate post on Monday ahead of Wednesday's presidential inauguration, paving the way for the senate's first Latinx member, Alex Padilla.

Padilla, 47, is a longtime ally of Gov. Gavin Newsom and has made a name for himself during his political tenure by boosting voter turnout, authoring a controversial bill to ban single-use plastic bags , and sponsoring legislation to expand voting-by-mail across the state.

Newsom formally appointed California's now-former Secretary of State on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

“It is fitting that on the same day we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — a civil rights icon who fought for justice and representation — we also move forward the appointment of California’s first Latino U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and the nomination of Dr. Shirley Weber who will serve as the first-ever African American Secretary of State," Newsom wrote in a Monday press release. "Both will be strong defenders of our democracy during this fragile moment in our nation’s history.”

Newsom also nominated Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, to take over as secretary of state. If confirmed by the Legislature, Weber will become the first Black woman to ever hold that position. Weber has been in the Assembly since 2012 and chairs the California Legislative Black Caucus.

"As I prepare to enter the United States Senate, I will carry on the mission of building a more inclusive democracy and economy for all," Padilla said.

The incoming senator was raised in the Pacoima area and continues to live with his wife and three sons in the San Fernando Valley.

Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants, became California's first Latino secretary of state in 2015. Before that, he served in the state Senate representing the Southland's 20th District. He spent more than seven years on the Los Angeles City Council representing the Seventh District in the northeastern San Fernando Valley. He was the council president for five years — the youngest and first Latino to ever hold that post.

He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. Before turning to politics, Padilla worked for Hughes Aircraft.

"It has been my privilege and honor to serve the people of California as Secretary of State for the past six years," Padilla wrote in a letter to Newsom. "I am proud of the transformative work we have accomplished in partnership with you, the Legislature, county election officials, voting rights advocates, and community leaders throughout the state to reduce barriers to participation in the electoral process, increase voter registration and participation, and administer safe and secure elections – even during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 22 million registered voters were able to vote in the 2020 Presidential General Election and a record 17.8 million Californians cast their ballot – demonstrating to the nation a proven model of electoral reform and innovation."

The City News Service contributed to this report.