Alex Padilla is an American politician serving as the junior United States Senator from California since January 2021. He was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Kamala Harris when she became Vice President. Padilla is the first Latino senator from California, representing a significant milestone in the state's political landscape. Before his appointment to the Senate, Padilla served as the Secretary of State of California, where he focused on expanding access to voting and improving election security. His work has made him a prominent figure in advocating for progressive policies and addressing issues such as climate change and immigration reform.