Tag Archives: Jon Ossoff

Alex Padilla Sworn In by Predecessor Kamala Harris as California’s First Mexican American & Hispanic U.S. Senator

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Alex Padilla is officially representing the Great State of California…

Democrats took control of the U.S. Senate for the first time since 2015, as Vice President Kamala Harris swore in the 47-year-old Mexican American politician as her appointed successor, as well as Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, who won their races against Republican incumbents in Georgia his month.

Alex Padilla

On December 22, 2020, California governor Gavin Newsom appointed Padilla to succeed Harris in the Senate, after Harris was elected as vice president. He’s the first Mexican American and Hispanic senator from California, the first senator from Southern California since 1992, and the first male senator to represent the state since 1993.

“I need to catch my breath, so much is happening,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who now is the new majority leader.

Alex Padilla

The Senate split is 50-50 now, but Democrats will have the edge because Harris has a tie-breaking vote. That might be needed, as Joe Biden tries to usher through a series of legislative priorities, including a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package and immigration reform.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) will be the president pro tem of the Senate, which is third in line for the presidency following the vice president and Speaker of the House.

With Democratic control of Congress and the White House, there is some expectation that legislation will face legal challenges, as Donald Trump was able to appoint more than 200 judges to the federal bench, including three Supreme Court seats.

Gina Torres & Her “Suits” Co-Stars to Reunite for “Suit Up For Georgia: A Game Night”

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It’s game on for Gina Torres…

The original cast of USA Network’s hit series Suits, including the 51-year-old Cuban American actress, along with fan-favorite recurring players and creator Aaron Korsh, will headline Suit Up For Georgia: A Game Night reunion.

Gina Torres

Hosted by Suits star Patrick J. Adams and his wife, Pretty Little Liars actress Troian Bellisario, the Democratic Party of Georgia event will be held on Sunday, December 27 at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.

Adams and Bellisario will be joined by Suits regular/recurring cast members Torres, Rick Hoffman, Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty, Rachael Harris, Amy Acker, DB Woodside, Denise Crosby, Amanda Schull, Max Topplin, David Costabile and Ray Proscia, Suits creator and executive producer Korsh, and special guests.

They are not expected to include original co-star Meghan Markle who, as a member of the British Royal family, has refrained from taking sides in an U.S. election.

“There is no better reason to revisit the world of Suits than to help turn out the vote for the Senate runoff election in Georgia,” said Adams. “I’m looking forward to bringing Mike Ross back to life for a fun night with Troian and my Suits friends, new and old, in support of such a crucial effort.”

To watch the reunion, fans can make a donation of any amount at SuitUpforGeorgia.com, with all proceeds and efforts going towards getting out the vote for Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock and flipping the U.S. Senate. They will include Adrienne White, Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia.

“As a longtime fan of the show, I’m thrilled to have so many members of the Suits cast join us here in Georgia to host a virtual game night,” said White. “With New Years’ and January 5 just around the corner, Georgia Democrats are determined to go into 2021 with momentum in these runoff elections. The grassroots donations and volunteer sign-ups from this event will give us the boost we need, and I’m so thankful to the cast of Suits for their support.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda to Take Part in Online Fundraisers to Help Georgia Democrats Win U.S. Senate Seats in Upcoming Runoff Election

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Lin-Manuel Miranda is getting political…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican acclaimed singer, rapper, composer, producer and playwright and other members of the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton, which he created, and Pearl Jam will headline online fundraisers to help Democrats win U.S. Senate seats in the coming January 5 runoff elections.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

If Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff win their races, the Senate will be at a 50-50 breakdown between the parties, but soon-to-be Vice President Kamala Harris would break a tie.

Pearl Jam will join Miranda for a conversation about their artistic inspirations, with Wayne Brady as the emcee. The event will take place at 8:30 pm ET on December 16 on the virtual platform Looped. Tickets start at $10 per person, with proceeds going to the Latino Victory Project, the Latino Community Fund of Georgia and the Hispanic Federation.

Miranda and other members of the cast of Hamilton also are participating in a December 13 fundraiser for Georgia Democrats, Ossoff and Warnock in a livestream set for 8:30 pm ET. Others scheduled to participate include Leslie Odom Jr, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Phillipa Soo, Christopher Jackson, Jonathan Groff, Javier Muñoz, Sasha Hutchings, Thayne Jasperson, Ariana DeBose, Sydney James Harcourt, Carleigh Bettiol, Andrew Chappelle, Alysha Deslorieux, Morgan Marcell, Austin Smith and Betsy Struxness. There is no set ticket price, but the invite suggests $30.

The Hamilton cast also reunited in October for a fundraiser for Biden’s campaign.

The last time there was such a 50-50 split was in 2001, with Republicans having control because the Vice President was Dick Cheney.