Senator Alex Padilla Endorses Mayor Gordo for Re-Election

Mayor Victor Gordo’s re-election campaign announced the endorsement of Senator Alex Padilla on Thursday.

Senator Padilla was first appointed to serve in the U.S. Senate in 2021 and was later elected to the seat in 2022. Previously, Senator Padilla served as California Secretary of State – the first Latino to hold the office in state history. Senator Padilla is also the first Latino elected to represent California in the U.S. Senate. 

“I’m proud to endorse Victor Gordo for another term as Mayor of Pasadena. Victor brings the perspective of growing up in a working-class family to the job of Mayor. That’s how he’s guided the city through the Covid-19 pandemic and unprecedented economic challenges. From championing a living wage to building more affordable housing, Mayor Gordo’s first term has been a success. He’s earned my support and the opportunity to continue to lead,” Padilla said.  

Senator Padilla’s support adds to Mayor Gordo’s growing list of endorsers, which also includes the Pasadena Firefighters Local 809, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark Gonzalez, as well as former Mayor of Pasadena Bill Bogaard. 

As Mayor, together with the City Council, Gordo guided the City through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery during a challenging time of social inequity, mass retirements and the search for a new City Manager.

Born in Mexico, Gordo immigrated to the United States with his parents as a young child. The oldest of six kids, Victor grew up in Pasadena, attending Pasadena public schools.  

His parents worked two jobs. Victor’s father was a dishwasher and cook at Ranchero’s Mexican Restaurant for 50 years. His late mother, who died when his youngest brother was four years old, was a seamstress. 

From 9 until he was 17 years old, Victor delivered the Pasadena Star-News newspaper every day before school and every weekend. 

He worked evenings and weekends at Ranchero’s Mexican Restaurant to help contribute to his family. 

He played football, baseball and soccer in High School, and became the first person in his family to go to college. First, Pasadena City College, then Azusa Pacific University. 

Shortly after his mother passed away, Gordo was forced to give up the college dream to help raise his siblings. As his siblings got older, Victor was able to continue his formal education and was accepted to law school and drove 35 miles each way to class every night — while working full-time. 

He graduated with honors one year ahead of his class and passed the California Bar Exam on his first attempt. 

Gordo is a labor leader who is also the longest-serving president of the Rose Bowl Operating Company, leading it through a successful renovation. As a Pasadena City Councilmember, Gordo has worked for almost 19 years focusing on quality of life issues, including opposing overdevelopment, fighting crime, championing a living wage, increasing government transparency, getting rid of problem liquor stores and replacing them with affordable housing, and taking back our parks.

Gordo lives in District 5 with his wife Kelly, an elementary school teacher in the El Monte Unified School District, and their two children Michael and Emma.

For more information please visit victorgordoformayor.com.