As Kamala Harris Resigns Senate, Alex Padilla Becomes California's First Latino Senator

As Kamala Harris formally resigned her Senate seat on Monday, Alex Padilla was officially appointed to replace her, making history as Californias first Latino senator.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) also nominated state Assemblymember Shirley Weber to replace Padilla as secretary of state. She will be the first Black person to hold the role in California.

It is fitting that on the same day we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a civil rights icon who fought for justice and representation we also move forward the appointment of Californias first Latino U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and the nomination of Dr. Shirley Weber who will serve as the first-ever African American Secretary of State, Newsom said in a statement. Both will be strong defenders of our democracy during this fragile moment in our nations history.

The governor celebrated Harriss trailblazing leadership as only the second Black woman U.S. senator when she was elected in 2016. On Wednesday, Harris is set to be sworn in as the first Black, first Asian American and first female vice president in U.S. history.

Padilla said he was honored and humbled to represent the people of California, a state whose population is nearly 40% Latino residents who will finally see themselves represented at the Senate level.

I am honored and humbled by the trust placed in me. I intend to work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all 40 million Californians. https://t.co/3de2QY318c

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I am honored and humbled by the trust placed in me. I intend to work each and every day to honor that trust and deliver for all 40 million Californians. https://t.co/3de2QY318c
Alex Padilla (@AlexPadilla4CA) January 18, 2021

After resigning her Senate seat at 9 a.m. Pacific time Monday, Harris released a video thanking Californians for the honor to serve her home state, saying: Im not saying goodbye. In many ways, Im saying hello as your vice president .

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Thank you, California.pic.twitter.com/3FJMUrWMo0

Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 18, 2021","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Kamala Harris","author_url":"https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris","cache_age":86400,"description":"Thank you, California.pic.twitter.com/3FJMUrWMo0 Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 18, 2021\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":360,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EsCACweXcAUa--v.jpg","thumbnail_width":640,"title":"Kamala Harris on 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Thank you, California.pic.twitter.com/3FJMUrWMo0
Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 18, 2021