SACRAMENTO, California — The rumor mill is hitting overdrive that Sen. Alex Padilla is contemplating a bid for California governor — and it’s not just idle talk.
A prominent political entity in Sacramento is currently in the field polling the 2026 governor’s race with Padilla’s name included as a potential candidate, Playbook has learned.
Padilla is not ruling out a run, according to a person familiar with his thinking who was granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Edgar Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the senator, pivoted to focus on the primary task at hand for California Democrats — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting measure, Proposition 50 — but notably, did not close the door on a gubernatorial bid.
“The senator is focused on passing Prop 50 this November,” Rodriguez said.
Padilla, fresh off being manhandled at a Department of Homeland Security news conference earlier this summer, already has a high-profile post. But he wouldn’t have to give it up to run for governor. His current term doesn’t end until 2029.
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