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California's US Senators have come from a wide background & similarly exit into varied paths. Example Sen. Padilla graduated from MIT with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1994!
US Senator Alex Padilla was born in Pacoima. He graduated from MIT with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1994. Four years later he was elected to the LA City Council. He left the City Council, as many members do when they have exhausted their term, to become a State Legislator. He was elected as Secretary of State, at the end of his eight-year legislative term limit, for two terms but resigned a year before his second term expired to accept the appointment of U.S. Senator January 18, 2021 following Kamala Harris resignation to become Vice President.
California is one of 37 states which allows a temporary gubernatorial appointment to resolve the departure of a Senator.
AB1495 was introduced February 19, 2021, following then Senator Kamala Harris’ unfinished term of office (1/18/21-1/20/22). Signed by Governor Newsom September 27, 2021 it addressed the issue of California dealing with Senator vacancies inconsistent with the US. Constitution.
AB1495 amended Section 1 Section 10720 of the election code but does not mandate a replacement to be appointed:
the Governor may appoint and commission an elector of this state who possesses the qualifications for the office to temporarily fill the vacancy
The stipulation of AB1495 concerning electing a replacement Senator hinges upon which side of 148 days “before the regularly scheduled statewide primary election next following the occurrence of the vacancy”.
>148 days “shall be held on the same dates as, and consolidated with, the regularly scheduled statewide primary and general elections, respectively, next following the occurrence of the vacancy.”
<148 days: “shall be held on the same dates as, and consolidated with, the second regularly scheduled statewide primary and general elections, respectively, next following the occurrence of the vacancy.”
The concern prior to AB1495 was a disputed "two month hole" which the California Democratic legislators were concerned about when Alex Padilla was appointed Senator. A new Senator was elected in the Nov 2022 election (which turned out to be Padilla) but would not be sworn into office until the following January. The legislators interpretation of the 17th amendment suggested this two-month lapse was in violation of "until the people fill the vacancy". So rather than mandating a Senator-elect now take the office from the appointed the parameters of the elections were extended.
" That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancy."
The March 3rd, 2024, California Primary is 157 days away from the 9/28/23 date of Senator Feinstein’s death. She was elected in 2018 and her 6-year term will end 1/3/25.
Related article: Fourteen Appointed CA US Senators since 1859 | San Fernando Valley News Portal (town.news)
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