Sen. Alex Padilla isn’t ruling out a gubernatorial run in California next year, leaving the possibility of a campaign open in a contest that lacks a clear frontrunner.
“Right now, I’m trying to avoid a government shutdown. Right now, Prop. 50 is on the ballot in California. And right now, we’re responding to this disastrous Supreme Court ruling yesterday that will allow racial profiling,” Padilla told NOTUS on Tuesday when asked about a possible run. “So that’s my focus.”
The race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom has drawn a field of at least nine candidates.
But after former Vice President Kamala Harris decided against launching a campaign, few high-profile candidates, both declared and potential, remain. Padilla, whose national profile rose after he was forcibly removed by federal agents from a press event hosted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is one of the few outstanding politicians who could shake up the race.
Last month, Politico reported that Padilla’s name was in a field poll as a possible candidate, though it’s unclear how he fared in the poll. And earlier this week the same outlet reported that many in Sacramento’s political class are advocating for Padilla to run for governor.
“Sen. Padilla is a superstar in California politics,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, told NOTUS when asked about his thoughts on Padilla running for governor. Aguilar added that while he hasn’t discussed it with the senator, “he has virtually limitless potential, and if he called me and he told me he was running, I’d be thrilled for him.”
Tuesday is not the first time Padilla’s demurred when asked about the possibility of running. After Harris announced in July she would sit out the race, Padilla answered questions from NOTUS about the prospect of his own run by repeatedly saying, “I have not endorsed anyone.”
The crowded field is now led by former Rep. Katie Porter, with 21% of voters saying they would support her in a general election, according to an August poll conducted by Citrin Center, Possibility Lab and Politico Summer Policy Survey. Xavier Becerra, who led Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, and Antonio Villaraigosa, a former mayor of Los Angeles, tied at 9% of support among the electorate.
According to an Emerson College poll released in August, more than 30% of California voters remain undecided.
Despite being ahead in polling, Porter’s lead is far from definitive, and she previously lost a state-wide primary for the Senate seat now held by Sen. Adam Schiff. Schiff was among the California lawmakers who were supportive of the idea of Padilla running.
“It would be amazing if he decided to pursue that,” Schiff told NOTUS, adding that he has yet to discuss the topic with Padilla.
Padilla has only been a senator since 2021, and his term is up in 2029. Though he would not have to resign from his current position to run, Padilla would need to file his candidacy by January to appear in the primary election in June of next year.
“He would be very formidable.” Rep. Brad Sherman told NOTUS. “It’ll be interesting to see if he runs. We’ve got a lot of good candidates, and obviously he’s done a hell of a job as a senator.”
Most lawmakers who spoke to NOTUS about Padilla said the senator’s experience in government and name recognition in California would make him a competitive candidate for governor. He also has the experience of winning two statewide elections in California, for his senate seat and, previously, for California secretary of state.
“Well, that’s up to Alex. He is very talented as a senator, and I’m sure he would be in any office.” Rep. Zoe Lofgren told NOTUS. “He’s very well known in the state.”
Rep. Ro Khanna told NOTUS that Padilla would be “a formidable candidate.”
Other lawmakers had questions about what a successful Padilla run would mean for the delegation.
“I know a lot of the candidates in the race. They’re all good,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “But if he runs, my question for him is: Who are you going to appoint to take your seat?”
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This story was produced as part of a partnership between NOTUS and NewsWell, home of Times of San Diego, Santa Barbara News-Press and Stocktonia.