Porter's TV outburst opens the door for this seasoned L.A. Democrat

Will Padilla trade his gold-plated U.S. Senate seat for the chance to be governor of the Golden State?

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KATIE PORTER has been regarded as the early front-runner.

(CARLIN STIEHL Los Angeles Times)

Sen. Alex Padilla apparently dreams of becoming California’s next governor.

He’s thinking hard about entering the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. And Katie Porter may have just opened the starting gate for him.

Porter has been regarded as the early front-runner. But she tripped and stumbled badly during a contentious, unprofessional and rude performance in a recent routine TV interview that went viral.

We don’t know the extent of her injury. But it was certainly enough to make Padilla’s decision a lot easier. If he really deep down covets the job of governor, the time seems ripe to apply for it.

Padilla wouldn't need to vacate the Senate merely to run. He'd have what's called a “free ride”: He doesn't face reelection next year because his Senate term runs through 2028.

But a Senate seat is gold plated. No term limits — a job often for life. It offers prestige and power, with sway over a global array of issues.

ALEX PADILLA has served on the Los Angeles City Council, in the state Senate, as California secretary of state and in the U.S. Senate.

(ALLEN J. SCHABEN Los Angeles Times)

Why would Padilla trade that to become a governor whose state is plagued by homelessness, wildfires and unaffordable living for millions?

For starters, it’s not much fun these days to be in the toothless Senate minority as a Democrat.