Sen. Alex Padilla says he won’t enter race for governor in 2026
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Alex Padilla will not run for California governor in 2026 and stays in Senate.
- He cites constitutional rights and immigration as reasons to continue Senate work.
- Democratic field features Katie Porter leading, with Villaraigosa, Becerra, Yee and Thurmond.
Sen. Alex Padilla said Tuesday he will not run for governor of California next year.
“I choose not just to stay in the Senate,” the California Democrat told reporters at the Capitol. “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.”
Padilla, who became a senator in 2021 after Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed him to succeed Vice President Kamala Harris, won a full term in 2022.
He’s become active in the Senate on immigration issues, drawing national attention earlier this year when he was handcuffed and forced to the ground by federal officials when he tried to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question at a Los Angeles news conference.
Tuesday, he spoke after the usual lunch meeting of Democratic senators.
“It is with a full heart, and even more commitment than ever, that I am choosing to not run for governor of California next year,” Padilla said.
Former Rep. Katie Porter has been leading the race to succeed Newsom, who is term limited and has to leave office after the 2026 election, but has stumbled after controversial remarks.
Also running in the Democratic primary are former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera, former Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, former State Controller Betty Yee and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 1:27 PM.
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