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On Tuesday, the Governor of California Gavin Newsom announced the name of Alex Padilla (Secretary of State) to replace Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the Senate. Padilla will be the first Latino senator to represent California. Point to be noted that California is the nation’s most populous state and has the largest Latino population in the country. Governor wrote on Twitter and said, “His appointment will make history. But the @AlexPadilla4CA I know is far more interested in changing history, especially for the working men and women of our state and country. I can think of no one better to represent the state of California as our next United States Senator”. There was a video of Padilla agreeing to take the position attached to the tweet. Padilla has been secretary of state since 2015, the first Latino to hold that position.

Padilla said during a video chat with Newsom, “I will make you proud and California proud by getting it done in the U.S. Senate. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and I’m ready”. Newsom pointed out in a statement that Padilla is the son of immigrant parents who worked as a cook and a house cleaner. He said, “Alex Padilla worked his way from humble beginnings to the halls of MIT, the Los Angeles City Council, and the State Senate, and has become a national defender of voting rights as California’s Secretary of State. Now, he will serve in the halls of our nation’s Capitol as California’s next United States Senator, the first Latino to hold this office”.

Newsom said, “Through his tenacity, integrity, smarts, and grit. California is gaining a tested fighter in their corner who will be a fierce ally in D.C., lifting up our state’s values and making sure we secure the critical resources to emerge stronger from this pandemic. He will be a Senator for all Californians”. Padilla issued a statement and said, “From those struggling to make ends meet to the small businesses fighting to keep their doors open to the health care workers looking for relief. Please know that I am going to the Senate to fight for you. We will get through this pandemic together and rebuild our economy in a way that doesn’t leave working families behind”.