Newsom’s Replacement Drops Out
California Sen. Alex Padilla (D) announced Tuesday that he will not run for governor in 2026, choosing instead to remain in the Senate — even as questions swirl about his recent arrest during an immigration oversight dispute.
“I’m choosing not to run for governor of California next year,” Padilla told reporters. “I’m choosing to stay in this fight because the Constitution is worth fighting for.”
The move surprised many within his own party, as Democrats brace for a bruising 2026 election cycle amid growing frustration over crime, illegal immigration, and California’s economic decline.
Democrats Scramble to Replace Gavin Newsom
With Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) term-limited, a crowded field of Democrats is already jostling for position.
Among the top contenders are former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Rep. Katie Porter, who currently leads early polling among likely Democrat voters.
The outcome will determine whether Democrats can hold onto the governor’s mansion in a state struggling with homelessness, sky-high taxes, and record outmigration — problems that many conservatives argue were created by years of liberal leadership.
Padilla’s Shocking Arrest Still Making Waves
Padilla made national headlines earlier this year when he was handcuffed and forcibly removed from a Department of Homeland Security press conference in June.
The senator had attempted to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — a former Senate colleague — about border enforcement and immigration oversight.
According to witnesses, officers tackled Padilla to the ground before escorting him out of the event. The California Democrat later slammed the administration, saying:
“If this is how they treat a senator with a question, imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, cooks, and day laborers in California and across the country.”
The disturbing incident fueled outrage across both parties — raising questions about the Biden-Noem administration’s disregard for congressional oversight and the growing tension over illegal immigration policies.
Democrats on Defense as Oversight Arrests Mount
Just a month before Padilla’s detention, Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) was also arrested for attempting to inspect a New Jersey immigration detention facility.
The repeated arrests of sitting lawmakers have sparked new criticism of how the current administration handles dissent — and how it treats those demanding transparency at the border.
Padilla’s decision to stay in the Senate instead of entering California’s governor’s race suggests a shift within the Democratic Party as it faces backlash over border chaos, economic instability, and rising public distrust.
