10 things about Los Angeles, California politician Alex Padilla

Alejandro “Alex” Padilla was born in Los Angeles, California, United States to Mexican parents Santos Padilla and Lupe Padilla. Originally from Mexico, Santos and Lupe met in Los Angeles where they also got married.

BIOGRAPHY

Alex is a Mexican-American engineer and politician raised in Pacoima, Los Angeles and based in Porter Ranch, Los Angeles. Here are 10 more things about him:

1. He and Angela Monzon Padilla have three sons together.
2. In 1994, he graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
3. In 1995, he joined the Democratic Party.
4. He was a campaign manager for Democratic politicians Tony Cárdenas in 1996, Gil Cedillo in 1997 and Richard Alarcon in 1998.
5. From July 1, 1999 to December 4, 2007, he was a member of the Los Angeles City Council from the seventh district.
6. From July 4, 2001 to January 1, 2006, he was the president of the Los Angeles City Council.
7. From December 4, 2006 to November 30, 2014, he was a member of the California State Senate from the 20th district.
8. From January 5, 2015 to January 18, 2021, he served as the 30th secretary of state of California.
9. In 2012, he and Angela got married.
10. On March 22, 2025, he turned 52.

TIMELINE

Alex is a former member of the governing board of MIT. After graduating from the university, he moved back to Pacoima and briefly wrote software for satellite systems as a Hughes Aircraft engineer.

2021

• On January 18, 2021, he assumed office as a U.S. senator from California.

2022

• He condemned the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

2023

• In November 2023, he introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate to authorize a binding federally sponsored referendum to resolve Puerto Rico’s political status.

2024

• On October 5, 2024, he attended Equality California’s Los Angeles Equality Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
• On November 27, 2024, he volunteered at Project Angel Food for Thanksgiving at Project Angel Food in Los Angeles.

2025

• On January 3, 2025, he assumed office as a ranking member of the U.S. Senate Rules Committee.
• On February 23, 2025, he and Angela attended the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
• On June 12, 2025, U.S. Secret Service agents forcefully removed him from a press conference at the Wilshire Federal Building in Sawtelle, Los Angeles where U.S. homeland security secretary Kristi Noem was speaking after he yelled at her while trying to ask her questions.