John,

With Vice President-elect Kamala Harris set to vacate her Senate seat on January 20, the responsibility falls to California Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint her replacement. Today, Voto Latino is proud to endorse Secretary of State Alex Padilla for that role.

Add your name to our letter asking Gov. Newsom to appoint Alex Padilla as Kamala Harris’ successor in the United States Senate.

As the son of working class Mexican immigrants and the product of Los Angeles County public schools, Padilla understands the challenges our families face and represents the personification of the American Dream. A former member of the Los Angeles City Council and the California State Senate, he has spent his entire career serving our communities.

As Secretary of State, Padilla modernized our election system, helping to bring millions of new voters from diverse working class communities into the electoral process. We’re confident that as California’s next United States Senator, he’ll bring a similar commitment to enfranchisement to the national level.

And let’s not forget the historic achievement that Padilla’s appointment would represent. In a state where Latinos make up 40 percent of the population, Padilla would be California’s first Latino member of the United States Senate. It’s long past time for our communities to be represented on this level.

If you’re on board, sign our petition today calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint Secretary of State Alex Padilla as Kamala Harris’ successor in the United States Senate.