#alex-padilla

#alex-padilla

In 362 days California voters will choose a new governor. That's just around the corner in political terms, given the expense and organizational lift a statewide campaign requires in the nation's most populous state. The winner almost certainly will be as certain as anything in politics can be a Democrat. If nothing else, the passage of Proposition 50, Gov. Gavin Newsom's mid-decade congressional district gerrymander, confirms anew that California is a one-party state.

But they've certainly got Democratic operatives and consultants talking even as Padilla and his camp remain loudly mum on the possibility. The focus for California's senior senator, said Padilla spokesperson Edgar Rodriguez when asked about the gubernatorial rumors on Wednesday, remains on California's upcoming special election on redistricting. That's been the party line in the past few weeks, since the rumor mill really started churning, and what Padilla himself has said in recent interviews.

Cal Fire It could all change with a bad heat wave, but California's summer fire season has been modest so far, with total acres burned this year down 10% from this time last year and 50% lower than the 5-year average. Stephen Cloobeck Beverly Hills Democrat and former timeshare company CEO put more than $10 million of his own money into the race for California governor.

Padilla explained he was in a conference room awaiting a briefing when he asked to attend the press conference and was quickly overwhelmed by agents.

"I'm Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary," Padilla says, struggling to speak as he's manhandled.