November 5, 2026 - SACRAMENTO, CA — On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight over federal elections, released the following statement regarding the 2026 midterm election results:
“Last night, tens of millions of Americans across our nation made their voices heard and their message was unmistakable: It’s time to bring down costs and put working families first. It’s time to end Trump’s chaos, corruption, and cruelty. And it’s time to hold those who exploit their positions of power for private profit accountable.
“Now is the time to focus on both affordability and accountability. When Democrats take charge in January, that is exactly what we intend to deliver.
“We will fight to reverse Trump’s devastating cuts to healthcare and ensure that the ultra-wealthy and the biggest corporations pay their fair share.
“We will investigate the brazen corruption we’ve seen coming out of the White House and finally pass legislation to reform our elections and strengthen voting rights.
“We will do everything in our power to end the unlawful war in Iran, bring down gas and diesel prices, and reverse Trump’s reckless tariffs that are making life unaffordable for the American people.
“And we will work to end ICE and DHS’s terror in our communities, advance solutions to modernize our immigration system, and provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who have lived in the United States for years, worked, paid taxes and strengthened our communities. I’ve already introduced legislation to do just that, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it done.
“After the American people spoke so clearly and so resolutely, even President Trump has acknowledged that the election result was undeniable. But we cannot be complacent — election misinformation and voter disenfranchisement are still real threats. Every eligible vote must, and will, be counted including in states like California, Alaska and Mississippi where the counts are ongoing. That is normal — not every election is called on election night, and that’s nothing new.
“What is new is Trump’s DOJ has tried and failed to purge eligible voters from state voter rolls, and it has not given up on seeking to block the counting of ballots in California and Washington. DOJ’s baseless legal challenge continues in Alaska. So we will remain vigilant.
“Yesterday, the American people showed up and demanded a better future. Now it’s Congress’ job to build it.
“Let’s get to work.”
Source: Senator Alex Padilla
