Chula Vista’s Padilla mulls state Senate run

Councilman Steve Padilla is thinking about being a state senator.

Padilla, running for re-election in Chula Vista, formed an “exploratory committee” to look into running for higher office in 2022, which is when current state Sen. Ben Hueso’s term expires.

“With working families facing immense challenges from COVID-19, I feel a responsibility to ensure our community is cared for at every level, so at the urging of many in the community I am exploring the possibility of running for Senate in the future,” Padilla said in a statement.

Hueso is running for county supervisor against Nora Vargas. Should Hueso win, his Senate seat would become available.

Padilla’s opponent in the City Council election, Henry Martinez, criticized the incumbent for not being truly focused on Chula Vista.

“He will be an absent representative of our District 3 during his campaign for State Senate and the residents of Chula Vista District 3 do not deserve the lack of full representation,” he said in a statement. Martinez is now pitching himself as the candidate who will stick around for four years.

“If I am elected as your Chula Vista City Council District 3 representative, I will not leave you halfway through my term and I put all my focus on my current term and not be your typical politician who is looking for the next political office and ignoring my fellow neighbors,” Martinez said.

Padilla maintained that his “one and only focus” is helping Chula Vista families and businesses through the pandemic.

“I am running for re-election to the City Council to continue serving the community I’ve called home all my life, and provide Chula Vista with the steady, proven leadership my Republican anti-science opponent cannot,” he said.

When asked to respond to Martinez’s criticisms, Padilla’s campaign pointed to his endorsements.

“Virtually every trusted leader in Chula Vista — from Mayor Mary Salas to our Firefighters and Police Officers — have endorsed Steve Padilla for City Council because they know his experience, lifelong dedication to our community and steady leadership are crucial to helping us get through these tough times,” the statement read.