There was no shortage of emotions when Alex Padilla, secretary of state of California, was asked to fill vice president-elect Kamala Harrisā seat in the Senate.
āIām honored, man, and Iām humbled,ā Padilla said while holding back tears.
Padilla accepted the offer by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to represent California in the U.S. Senate.
A video of their conversation was posted to Twitter, where Newsom wrote, āHis appointment will make history,ā adding that Padilla āis far more interested in changing history ā especially for the working men and women of our state and country.ā
In the video call on Monday evening, after Padilla mentioned his mom died two years ago, Newsom is heard saying, āCan you image what mom would be thinking now as I ask you if you want to be the next U.S. senatorā¦ of the great state of California?ā
Padilla responded, āYou serious?ā then took a moment as he became emotional.
ā canāt tell you how many pancakes my dad flipped or eggs he scrambled trying to provide for us,ā Padilla said, adding, āOr the many, many years of my mom cleaning houses.ā
Padilla confirmed he would accept the role, āAbsolutely.ā
Watch the video below:
āI can think of no one better to represent the state of California as our next United States Senator,ā Newsom tweeted.
Padillaās appointment comes as Harris is now the vice president-elect. Padilla will become the first Latino in U.S. history to hold the seat in California.