- published: 30 Jun 2016
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Alejandro "Alex" Padilla (born March 22, 1973) is an American politician, Democratic Party activist, engineer, and civil servant. He serves as the Secretary of State of California after winning the general election on November 5th, 2014 against Republican Pete Peterson, winning with approximately 54% of the vote.
He previously served in the California State Senate, representing the 20th District after his election to the position in November 2006. Prior to serving in the Senate he served 7½ years on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 7th District. First elected in 1999, he was elected council president in July 2001 and remained president through December 31, 2005.
Padilla is one of three children of Santos and Lupe Padilla, both of whom emigrated from Mexico before meeting and marrying in Los Angeles.
Padilla grew up in the community of Pacoima in Los Angeles and is a graduate of San Fernando High School in the northeast San Fernando Valley. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1994. After graduation, he moved back to Pacoima and briefly worked as an engineer for Hughes Aircraft, where he wrote software for satellite systems.