California’s senior U.S. Senator, Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), has announced he will not run for governor in the 2026 election. Speaking at the U.S. Capitol, Padilla emphasized his deep commitment to the Constitution, fundamental rights, and core American values. ‘I choose not just to stay in the Senate,’ he said. ‘I choose to stay in this fight because the Constitution is worth fighting for. Our fundamental rights are worth fighting for. Our core values are worth fighting for. The American, dream is worth fighting for.’ His decision to remain in Congress comes at a critical time in California’s political landscape, where the absence of a clear front-runner has led to a scramble for an alternative to former Vice President Kamala Harris’s disqualification and the growing challenges facing Katie Porter’s campaign.
As California’s senior senator and a formidable figure in state politics, Padilla had the potential to bring significant influence to a governor’s race without a dominating frontrunner. An extensive campaign to encourage him to run highlighted the uncertain state of the field following Harris’s withdrawal earlier this year and the instability in the race after Porter faced backlash for her abrasive campaign style. The concerted movement to draft Padilla underscores the unsettled nature of the race, with interest groups and elected officials searching for an alternative to Porter, who is currently struggling with the fallout from videos of her confrontational behavior with a reporter and her treatment of a staffer.
Padilla’s decision not to run came after a period of reflection, during which he acknowledged a previous incident in which he was involved in a confrontation with Homeland Security officials during a briefing by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. ‘Y’all recall that event,’ Padilla remarked. ‘As alarming as that experience was not just for me and our family, but for most people who have seen the video. Countless people have told me, I’m glad you’re fighting for us. I’m glad you’re there.’ This event, which Padilla described as alarming, has prompted his reevaluation of his priorities and a continued commitment to his role in Congress.
The potential for Padilla to loosen Porter’s dominance in the race was a significant factor in the political calculus of the state’s political class. With his decision to withdraw, the search for a Porter alternative is likely to continue, with names such as Rep. Eric Swalwell and billionaire donor Tom Steyer emerging as potential candidates. Steyer has already begun to make his presence felt with an aggressive ad campaign supporting Porter’s opponent in the gerrymandering ballot initiative. The political establishment in Sacramento had viewed Padilla’s candidacy as a positive development, considering his reputation as a known quantity and his ability to build relationships across the political spectrum. However, many within this establishment have been wary of Porter’s progressive stances and her lack of experience in state politics, factors that have contributed to the current uncertainty in the race.
Padilla has had a long and distinguished political career in California, moving from the Los Angeles City Council to the state legislature and eventually being appointed to the U.S. Senate by then-Governor Gavin Newsom in late 2020. His relationship with Newsom remains a key part of his political identity, as Newsom, his longtime ally, appointed him to the Senate following the withdrawal of Kamala Harris. Despite his current decision not to seek the governor’s office, his potential future role in California politics remains a topic of interest, especially as the state continues to grapple with the challenges of its political landscape and the search for a strong gubernatorial candidate.