University of California Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies
15%10%5%0%
12%
California Governor winner?
$46.6M
NOV 4, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age53 years old (Mar 22, 1973)
GenderMale
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LocationCalifornia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — B.S., Mechanical Engineering
Notable personal detailsAlex Padilla is a U.S. Senator from California, first appointed in January 2021 and elected to a full term in November 2022. He previously served as California Secretary of State (2015–2021), a California State Senator, and a member (and president) of the Los Angeles City Council. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has focused on election administration, voting rights, and other public-policy issues.
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax relief for working families and disaster survivors, backs refundable tax credits such as the expanded Child Tax Credit, and opposes large tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy while supporting tax incentives for clean energy and disaster mitigation. Advocates preserving social programs that would be cut to pay for wealthy tax breaks and has sponsored/endorsed legislation providing specific tax relief measures.
Healthcare
Supports guaranteeing health care as a right and has sponsored/endorsed Medicare for All legislation while also backing measures to expand access and address inequities in care. Advocates for protecting and expanding Affordable Care Act subsidies and lowering prescription drug costs. Sponsors bipartisan bills to increase access to specialty and digital health services and legislation to make equitable health care a protected civil right.
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Immigration & Border
Supports expanding legal pathways to permanent residency and pathways to citizenship, protecting DACA recipients and Dreamers, and opposing policies that restrict asylum access or enable mass deportations. Criticizes Republican border proposals that would dismantle asylum protections and calls for humanitarian, root-cause approaches rather than militarized enforcement.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports codifying the right to abortion into federal law, opposes restrictive state bans, and has sponsored/co-sponsored legislation to protect abortion access, medication abortion, providers, and interstate travel for reproductive care. Describes abortion as a fundamental right and advocates for federal protections to restore and guarantee nationwide access. Has repeatedly introduced and backed bills and resolutions to preserve and expand reproductive freedom.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive climate action including major clean energy investments, policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and measures to decarbonize infrastructure and protect climate-vulnerable communities. Has cosponsored the Green New Deal resolution, backed large federal investments in clean ports, energy-efficiency and residential solar incentives, and emphasizes climate resilience and environmental justice.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports significant federal gun safety measures including raising the minimum age to purchase assault weapons, banning or restricting high-capacity magazines, expanding background checks, and implementing policies (including red flag-related provisions) to keep guns away from those at risk of committing violence. Has sponsored and cosponsored legislation to restrict access to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and to cut federal contracts with dealers whose firearms are disproportionately linked to violent crime.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 12, 2026
Alex Padilla is in the news because he is part of the crowded 2026 California governor’s race, where the top-two primary system will send only two candidates to the general election. Recent coverage has focused on the tight, unsettled field, with Democrats worried that vote-splitting could help Republicans advance. Candidates have also been pressed on major issues like affordability, health care, childcare, and the state budget, while the primary results are still being counted.
padilla.senate.gov+17
Articles
SSFGATE9 days ago
California holds crowded primary in race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom
Neutral
TNThe New York Times3 months ago
Infighting Begins Among Democratic Candidates for California Governor
Neutral
CNCBS News2 months ago
California gubernatorial candidates address Swalwell fallout in Sacramento forum
Neutral
NNewsmax2 months ago
Democrats Face Turmoil in California Governor Race
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$11.8M
$8.8M
$5.9M
$2.9M
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$11.8M
$7.5M
$4.6M
$190.3K
Cycle 2024
$754.2K
$6.6M
$1.6M
$65.2K
Cycle 2026
$1.3M
$7.2M
$735.7K
$49.0K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements