As the national environment turns on Democrats, Republicans hold out hope for picking up California’s U.S. Senate seat for the first time in 34 years. Meet the two top Republican candidates that could oust scandal-plagued Alex Padilla.
Could California be ready to elect its first Republican U.S. senator since 1988? After a 34 year dry spell, political observers say it could be possible — but only if Republicans get their act together and mount a strong challenge.
Incumbent US Senator Alex Padilla, the 49 year-old former California Secretary of State, was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom (D) in December 2020 to finish the term of the seat vacated by now Vice President Kamala Harris (D). As an appointee to the position, Padilla has never faced an election for Senate and must answer to voters for the first time in this position this November.
In 2014, Padilla was elected Calfifornia Secretary of State by a margin of 8% in a national R+5.7% environment. With recent polls indicating a 2022 national environment of as much as R+13%, Padilla could be in for a tighter than expected race.
“If you look at his position on the top issues that worry California voters - such as inflation, gas prices, homelessness, and crime - incumbent Senator Alex Padilla (D) should be vulnerable in November,” says Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California.
“But then again, this is deep-blue California where the liberal establishment media of our state has outright covered up the failings of the ruling Democrat friends,” DeMaio lamented.
While in the Senate, Padilla has championed building and giving away affordable housing and subsidies to the U.S. homeless population — which will cost taxpayers $531 billion. This approach has incentivized and worsened homelessness, where a California homeless man said in a now-viral video: “They literally pay you to be homeless here, they pay you …. This right now is literally by choice … why would I wanna pay rent?”
Amidst the ongoing gas crisis, Padilla has cosponsored a bill to increase taxes on oil companies, which will be passed onto consumers and further increase prices at the pump.
As Secretary of State, Padilla was caught in multiple scandals, including awarding a $35 million state contract in 2020 to a political consulting firm, SKDKnickerbocker, for California voter outreach. The firm stated it was on “Team Biden” and one of its leaders was a spokesman for the “Biden for President” campaign.
The corruption goes further. Emails have recently come to light showing that Padilla directly coordinated with SKDK and Twitter to permanently suspend Twitter users who were critical of Padilla's job as Secretary of State.
But as the June primary election quickly approaches, Republican voters in California are wondering: who are the candidates running to take on Padilla?
Here are the two most viable Republican candidates running for U.S. Senate. To help Republicans and center-right independents unite behind one candidate so a good candidate can make the top-two spots to advance to the November runoffs, Carl DeMaio and Reform California will release their endorsement by May 1, 2022.
Mark Meuser
Mark Meuser is a native Californian, attorney, and entrepreneur. When he was a child, he picked cherries and sold them at his own cherry stand. He also cared for orphaned animals. At age 15, he was managing a local restaurant, then bought his own at age 21. He graduated with honors from Oak Brook College of Law and has won important cases for disabled Americans. He joined the Dhillon Law Group in 2017, where he has focused on Election, Political, and Constitutional Law. Meuser has served as a critical check on Governor Gavin Newsom in his work as well, where he has been involved in 22 lawsuits against Newsom for unconstitutional COVID-19 orders. Meuser is an avid outdoorsman and reader.
Dr. Cordie Williams
Dr. Cordie Williams is a husband, father, Marine Veteran, and doctor. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Williams started a successful chiropractic business in Southern California. In early 2020, the government response to Covid-19 pushed Cordie to get involved in politics and defend the rights of Californians. He is a strong advocate for personal freedoms, and he aims to defend the right to self determination if elected to the U.S. Senate. He hopes to champion medical freedom, school choice, election integrity, border security, and more as your next senator.
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Carl DeMaio and Reform California are working to flip key seats, end one-party rule, and oust corrupt politicians like Senator Alex Padilla. Join the campaign today to help run ads, educate voters, and flip these target seats up and down the state.
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