Today we celebrate the historic appointment of Secretary of State Alex Padilla to the United States Senate.
From the heart of the San Fernando Valley, the son of hard-working immigrants from Mexico, a graduate of MIT who has dedicated his life to public service, Secretary Padilla will become the first Latino U.S. Senator from California.
As a former State Senator, Padilla became our fiercest champion and closest friend. He worked with us to expand college opportunity and secure historic legislation that would create a strong transfer pathway from community college to our public universities and protect financial aid. As the first Latino to serve as Secretary of State, he expanded voting rights, protected the integrity of our elections, and oversaw the state’s biggest voter turnout in history.
We are thrilled that the U.S. Senate will have a champion for education and voting rights – and a strong friend for college opportunity.
Thank you, Governor Newsom!
