Washington, D.C. — Latino Victory Fund announced that it has endorsed Alex Padilla for the United States Senate. In December 2020, Padilla became the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate when he was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to fill Vice President Kamala Harris’ seat. 

“Alex Padilla’s career in public service is remarkable and unparalleled. He’s got the heart of an activist, the work ethic of the son of immigrants, the dedication of a public servant, and the grit and fire needed in the United States Senate,” said Nathalie Rayes, Latino Victory Fund president and CEO. “Padilla has already made his mark in the United States Senate to become a rising leader and a prominent advocate for issues that will help America’s families thrive. He’s a staunch supporter of voting rights, immigrant rights, health care access, and he’s been working tirelessly to get our economy back on track and address the Covid-19 recovery. We are proud to support Padilla in his first full election to the United States Senate and ready to work to ensure California continues having a Latino Senator in Congress—and one of the best.” 

Latino Victory has been a long-time supporter of Alex Padilla, ever since it endorsed him for California Secretary of State in 2014, the year the organization launched. In August 2020, Latino Victory launched the ‘Pick Padilla’ initiative, a digital ad campaign, to harness support for his appointment to the Senate seat.  

“Latino Victory plays a vital role in elevating Latino leaders across the country to ensure voices from our community have a seat at the table at all levels of government. They advocated hard for my appointment to serve as California’s first Latino senator, and I’m grateful to have their continued support as I’m running for a full term in the United States Senate,” said Senator Alex Padilla.

Governor Newsom appointed Padilla to the Senate seat in December 2020, and he became the first Latino United States Senator in California’s history. According to recent 2020 Census figures, California’s Latino population, the largest ethnic or racial group in the state, grew by 11 percent to 15.6 million, comprising 39 percent of the state’s population. 

Meet Senator Alex Padilla: 

• The son of Mexican immigrants, Padilla was raised in the working-class community of Pacoima, California. His father worked as a short-order cook, and his mother cleaned houses. 

• Padilla earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 

• At 26, he was the youngest person and the first Latino elected president of the Los Angeles City Council and provided citywide leadership at critical times, including serving as acting Mayor on 9/11. 

• In 2006, Padilla was elected to the California State Senate, during which he focused his legislative work on health initiatives, education, climate change, and infrastructure. 

• In 2015, Padilla was sworn in as the first Latino California Secretary of State. Throughout his tenure, he worked to strengthen voter rights by increasing voter registration and participation. He was re-elected in 2018, receiving the most votes of any Latino elected official in the United States.
  
• Senator Alex Padilla is the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate

• Senator Padilla is the first Latino to chair the Immigration Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee

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The Latino Victory Fund is a progressive political action committee with the mission of growing Latino political power by increasing Latino representation at every level of government – from the school board to the Senate to the White House.