Mientras que Kamala Harris fue la primera mujer afroamericana y asiática americana en convertirse en vicepresidenta el 20 de enero, Alex Padilla, a la vez, hizo historia ya que fue nombrado el primer Latine en representar a California en el Senado.

Anteriormente, Padilla trabajó como senador estatal y secretario de estado. Como secretario de estado, Padilla aprobó más de 70 proyectos de ley, incluyendo la legislación para combatir el cambio climático llamada Sb50 Ley de Reducción y Energía Limpia.

Shawn Cole-Woods, director de programas y educación de Next Generation Scholars, ve el juramento de Padilla como algo que no solo beneficiará a la comunidad latina, sino toda la comunidad de bajos ingresos.

“[Padilla] es un científico que es genial, considerando todo lo que estamos pasando con COVID-19 y con el aumento del nivel del mar,” Cole-Woods dijo. “Todos estos problemas se relacionan con las comunidades de bajos ingresos porque muchas de esas comunidades están más cerca del agua, por lo que si sucediera cualquier cosa, serían los primeros y probablemente los más afectados si continuamos en la dirección en la que hemos estado yendo.”

Según VoteSmart.org, algunas de las políticas existentes de Padilla apuntan a aumentar la financiación fiscal para la educación, fortalecer las protecciones ambientales y mejorar la formación de las autoridades públicas En una entrevista con VoteSmart.org, Padilla mencionó que quería aumentar la financiación para cuestiones gubernamentales que beneficiarán al país a largo plazo, como atención médica, transporte y gestión de emergencias como el senador.

“Debemos hacer que el gobierno sea más eficiente con los recursos existentes para servir mejor a nuestras comunidades,” Padilla dijo. “Reduciría las lagunas de impuestos de las grandes corporaciones y les pediría a los multimillonarios que pagaran su parte justa.”

Debido a la experiencia previa de Padilla, el gobernador de California, Gavin Newsom, eligió a Padilla para reemplazar a Harris en su salida del Senado, a pesar de la insistencia en que Newsom eligiera a otra mujer afroamericana. En una declaración pública, Newsom explicó los motivos que le hicieron elegir a Padilla.

“Gracias a su tenacidad, integridad, inteligencia y valentía, California está ganando un luchador, que será un fuerte aliado en DC, elevando los valores de nuestro estado y asegurándose de que obtengamos los recursos necesarios para salir fortalecidos de esta pandemia,” Newsom dijo. “Él será un Senador para todos los californianos.”

California es un estado muy diverso. Según el censo de EE. UU. en 2019, la comunidad latina es el 39 por ciento de la población del estado, representando el grupo demográfico más grande en California. Dado que Padilla representará un porcentaje tan significativo del estado, su victoria es un paso importante hacia la comprensión y atención de las necesidades de esas comunidades.

Ruby Aguirre, que trabaja con Next Generation Scholars, expresa su alegría de que se le haya dado el puesto a Padilla, especialmente considerando su origen étnico mexicano.

“Existe la esperanza de que debido a su experiencia de crecer en un hogar de padres inmigrantes, que es tan común en personas de primera generación, escuchará las demandas de la comunidad,” Aguirre dijo. “Al mismo tiempo, queremos que sea responsable de lo que dice, y se asegure de que nos ayuda de la manera que ha dicho que lo hará en lugar de ser cómplice de las demandas de sus jefes. “

Como guatemalteca que vive en un hogar de padres inmigrantes, Saidy Reyes, estudiante de último año en Redwood pertenece a la misma comunidad marginada en la que se crió Padilla. Reyes, encuentra inspiración en la victoria de Padilla para seguir adelante y aprovechar las oportunidades que ofrece este país.

“Me siento contenta de que haya representación hispana en el gobierno. Asimismo, me inspira a seguir adelante y seguir siendo una representación para mi comunidad,” Reyes dijo.

Las políticas financieras de Padilla, específicamente aquellas relacionadas con la mejora de la atención médica para familias de bajos ingresos, dan a Reyes la esperanza de un futuro mejor para ella y su familia.

“Espero más inclusividad de la comunidad hispana en Estados Unidos y que en cierta forma ayude a los hispanos inmigrantes. También, sería bueno que ayudará a los hispanos de bajos recursos con programas de vivienda, salud y alimentación,” Reyes dijo.

Mientras Reyes cree que el aumento de representación latina en la política puede mejorar la calidad de vida de los latinos en California, otros no están de acuerdo con ella. Aguirre cree que las políticas de Padilla no beneficiará a todos, ya que la comunidad latina es muy diversa en sus necesidades.

“El hecho de que Padilla sea latino no significa que hable por todos los latinos”, Aguirre dijo. “Él ha vivido y experimentado algo completamente diferente a lo que yo tengo, lo que significa que puede apoyar cosas con las que estoy totalmente en contra. Todos somos humanos y no puedo esperar que él arregle todo por mi.”

Sin devaluar, la presencia de Padilla en el Congreso traerá diversidad al senado, lo cual es algo en lo que Aguirre, Reyes y Cole-Woods observan como un cambio positivo.

“Puede que sea un hombre Afroamericano, pero sigo siendo [parte de] un grupo marginado, así que cualquier triunfo para aquel que ha sido rechazado o marginado es un triunfo para los que han sufrido rechazo y marginación,” Cole-Woods dijo.

English translation:

While Kamala Harris became the first female and African American and Asian American to be vice president on Jan. 20, Alex Padilla simultaneously made history as he was sworn in as the first Latinx to represent California in the Senate. 

Previously, Padilla worked as a state senator for California and later became the secretary of state. As secretary of state from 2014 to 2020, Padilla passed more than 70 bills, including the Clean Energy and Reduction Act, the landmark legislation to combat climate change.

Shawn Cole-Woods, the senior education and programs director of Next Generation Scholars, views Padilla’s swearing-in as something that will not only benefit the Latinx community, but the entire low-income community.

 “[Padilla] is a scientist, which is great considering everything we are going through with COVID-19 and with the sea level rise [due to climate change],” Cole-Woods said. “All of [these issues relate to] low-income communities because many of those communities are closer to the water, so if anything were to happen they would be the first and probably the most affected if we continue to go into the direction we have been going in.”
According to VoteSmart.org, some of Padilla’s existing policies he hopes to pass through aim to increase tax funding for education, strengthen environmental protections and improve training for law enforcement. In an interview with VoteSmart.org, Padilla mentioned that he plans to increase funding for government issues that will benefit the country in the long run, such as healthcare, transportation and emergency preparedness as senator.

“We must make the government more efficient with existing resources to better serve our communities,” Padilla said. “I would close corporate tax loopholes and ask multi-millionaires to pay their fair share [as a senator].”

Because of Padilla’s prior experience, California Gov. Gavin Newsom elected Padilla to replace Kamala Harris as she departed from the Senate despite a push from demoratic donors and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, for Newsom to choose another Black woman. In a public statement, Newsom explained his reasoning behind endorsing Padilla. 

“Through his tenacity, integrity, smarts and grit, California is gaining a tested fighter in their corner who will be a fierce ally in D.C., lifting our state’s values and making sure we secure the critical resources to emerge stronger from this pandemic,” Newsom said. “He will be a Senator for all Californians.” 

California is a diverse state. According to the 2019 U.S. Census, the Latinx community makes up the largest demographic in California, at 39 percent of the state’s population. Given that Padilla will represent such a significant percentage of the state, his victory is an important step towards understanding and addressing the needs of those communities. 

 Licensed social worker Ruby Aguirre, who works with Next Generation Scholars, a Marin non-profit dedicated to preparing students for college, expresses her delight that Padilla was given the position, especially considering her Mexican background.

“There is hope that because of his experience growing up in an immigrant household, which is so common in first-generation people, he will listen to the demands of our community,” Aguirre said. “At the same time, we want to keep him accountable for what he says he will do, and make sure he helps us the way he has said he will instead of being complicit to the demands of his bosses.”

As a Guatemalan living in an immigrant household, Redwood senior Saidy Reyes belongs to the same marginalized community Padilla grew up in. Reyes finds inspiration in Padilla’s victory to push forward and take advantage of the opportunities this country has to offer.

“Me siento contenta de que haya representación hispana y que va a ver representación en el gobierno. Asimismo, me inspira a seguir adelante y seguir siendo una representación para mi comunidad,” Reyes said.

(“I am happy that there is Hispanic representation and that there will be representation in the government. It also inspires me to move forward and continue to be a representation to my community.”)

The financial policies that Padilla hopes to pass, specifically those regarding improved healthcare for low-income families, give Reyes hope for a better future for her family.

“Espero más inclusividad de la comunidad hispana aca en Estados Unidos y que en cierta forma ayude a los hispaos inmigrantes. También, sería bueno que ayudará a los hispanos de bajos recursos con programas de vivienda, salud y de comida,” Reyes said.

(“I hope that the Hispanic community here in the U.S. is included more and that [the government] helps the Hispanic immigrants in any way. Also, it would be nice if he would help low-income families with housing, health and food programs.”)

While Reyes believes that increased Latinx representation in politics may improve the quality of life for Latinos in California, others do not. Aguirre feels that Padilla’s policies will not benefit all Latinos, as the Latinx community is very diverse in their needs.

“Just because Padilla is Latino does not mean he speaks for all Latino people,” Aguirre said. “He has lived and experienced something completely different than I have, meaning he may want to support things that I am totally against. We are all humans and I cannot expect him to fix everything for me.”

Nevertheless, his presence in the court will add diversity in the Senate, which is something Aguirre, Reyes and Cole-Woods all view as a positive change.

“I might be a Black man, but I am still [part of] another marginalized group, so any win for anyone who has been pushed to a margin is a win for anyone else who has also been pushed to a margin,” Cole-Woods said. 

English Version:

While Kamala Harris became the first female and African American and Asian American to be vice president on Jan. 20, Alex Padilla simultaneously made history as he was sworn in as the first Latinx to represent California in the Senate. 

Previously, Padilla worked as a state senator for California and later became the secretary of state. As secretary of state from 2014 to 2020, Padilla passed more than 70 bills, including the Clean Energy and Reduction Act, the landmark legislation to combat climate change.

Shawn Cole-Woods, the senior education and programs director of Next Generation Scholars, views Padilla’s swearing-in as something that will not only benefit the Latinx community, but the entire low-income community.

 “[Padilla] is a scientist, which is great considering everything we are going through with COVID-19 and with the sea level rise [due to climate change],” Cole-Woods said. “All of [these issues relate to] low-income communities because many of those communities are closer to the water, so if anything were to happen they would be the first and probably the most affected if we continue to go into the direction we have been going in.”
According to VoteSmart.org, some of Padilla’s existing policies he hopes to pass through aim to increase tax funding for education, strengthen environmental protections and improve training for law enforcement. In an interview with VoteSmart.org, Padilla mentioned that he plans to increase funding for government issues that will benefit the country in the long run, such as healthcare, transportation and emergency preparedness as senator.

“We must make the government more efficient with existing resources to better serve our communities,” Padilla said. “I would close corporate tax loopholes and ask multi-millionaires to pay their fair share [as a senator].”

Because of Padilla’s prior experience, California Gov. Gavin Newsom elected Padilla to replace Kamala Harris as she departed from the Senate despite a push from demoratic donors and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, for Newsom to choose another Black woman. In a public statement, Newsom explained his reasoning behind endorsing Padilla. 

“Through his tenacity, integrity, smarts and grit, California is gaining a tested fighter in their corner who will be a fierce ally in D.C., lifting our state’s values and making sure we secure the critical resources to emerge stronger from this pandemic,” Newsom said. “He will be a Senator for all Californians.” 

California is a diverse state. According to the 2019 U.S. Census, the Latinx community makes up the largest demographic in California, at 39 percent of the state’s population. Given that Padilla will represent such a significant percentage of the state, his victory is an important step towards understanding and addressing the needs of those communities. 

 Licensed social worker Ruby Aguirre, who works with Next Generation Scholars, a Marin non-profit dedicated to preparing students for college, expresses her delight that Padilla was given the position, especially considering her Mexican background.

“There is hope that because of his experience growing up in an immigrant household, which is so common in first-generation people, he will listen to the demands of our community,” Aguirre said. “At the same time, we want to keep him accountable for what he says he will do, and make sure he helps us the way he has said he will instead of being complicit to the demands of his bosses.”

As a Guatemalan living in an immigrant household, Redwood senior Saidy Reyes belongs to the same marginalized community Padilla grew up in. Reyes finds inspiration in Padilla’s victory to push forward and take advantage of the opportunities this country has to offer.

“Me siento contenta de que haya representación hispana y que va a ver representación en el gobierno. Asimismo, me inspira a seguir adelante y seguir siendo una representación para mi comunidad,” Reyes said.

(“I am happy that there is Hispanic representation and that there will be representation in the government. It also inspires me to move forward and continue to be a representation to my community.”)

The financial policies that Padilla hopes to pass, specifically those regarding improved healthcare for low-income families, give Reyes hope for a better future for her family.

“Espero más inclusividad de la comunidad hispana aca en Estados Unidos y que en cierta forma ayude a los hispaos inmigrantes. También, sería bueno que ayudará a los hispanos de bajos recursos con programas de vivienda, salud y de comida,” Reyes said.

(“I hope that the Hispanic community here in the U.S. is included more and that [the government] helps the Hispanic immigrants in any way. Also, it would be nice if he would help low-income families with housing, health and food programs.”)

While Reyes believes that increased Latinx representation in politics may improve the quality of life for Latinos in California, others do not. Aguirre feels that Padilla’s policies will not benefit all Latinos, as the Latinx community is very diverse in their needs.

“Just because Padilla is Latino does not mean he speaks for all Latino people,” Aguirre said. “He has lived and experienced something completely different than I have, meaning he may want to support things that I am totally against. We are all humans and I cannot expect him to fix everything for me.”

Nevertheless, his presence in the court will add diversity in the Senate, which Aguirre, Reyes and Cole-Woods all view as a positive change.

“I might be a Black man, but I am still [part of] another marginalized group, so any win for anyone who has been pushed to a margin is a win for anyone else who has also been pushed to a margin,” Cole-Woods said.