Feinstein pushes for California secretary of state to replace Harris in Senate

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is pushing for California Secretary of State Alex Padilla (D) to be tapped to replace Sen. Kamala Harris, the vice president-elect, as the Golden State’s other senator.

“I know him. And my sense is that he’s going to represent California very well. And he’s someone I’d be very happy to work with and also bring Hispanic representation to the Senate for the first time,” Feinstein said of Padilla, according to NBC News.

The senior California senator told NBC News that she has not personally discussed her preference for the seat with Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), but said the suggestion is on his radar.

“He’s aware of it,” she told the network. “I haven’t talked with him. We’ve communicated. Let’s put it that way.”

Padilla got his start in politics in the mid-1990s serving as a personal assistant to Feinstein. He would be the first Latino to represent California in the Senate.

Newsom has reportedly received numerous calls lobbying for various potential picks for the seat. Newsom said in November he has not yet decided on a time frame for the appointment.

“No timeline has been established. The process is just beginning to unfold,” Newsom said. “We are working through the cattle call of considerations related to what’s the profile, the right choice to replace Sen. Harris.”

Numerous Hispanic party leaders have also thrown their support behind the secretary of state, and the Latino Victory Fund super PAC has mounted a “Pick Padilla” campaign. Democratic Reps. Karen Bass and Barbara Lee are also reportedly on the shortlist, as is Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia.

“Secretary Padilla would be honored to serve as California’s U.S. Senator, but is focused on ensuring every vote is counted and elections are certified in what was a historic voter turnout for the 2020 elections,” David Beltran, Padilla’s political adviser, told The Hill last month.