With Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited, some in the Democratic Party are urging Padilla to run, hoping his long-standing ties to Sacramento will give him an edge in a wide-open race that includes other potential candidates like former Rep. Katie Porter.

Some California Democrats are encouraging Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla to run in the state’s 2026 gubernatorial race, Politico reported on Monday.

While some Sacramento Democrats want Padilla to run in California’s upcoming gubernatorial race, the senator still does not have the name recognition that other Golden State politicians — such as former Vice President Kamala Harris — do, according to Politico. The senator is reportedly weighing a bid to replace term-limited Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom .

“Padilla is

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