building a better bay area for a safe and and and and this is abc7 news. >> we get answers for you in real time. today we'll talk potential good-bye toral candidate. the recall deadline for the signatures. and a local jewelry maker talks about the crime against asian-americans. plus, the new new new new

alex padilla. we begin with the historic role. i wonder that being this role is so historic, you being the first latino senator from california stepping into this role do you feel the responsibility and the wait of it and somehow it affecting you? serving as the first latino senator from the state of california, the opportunity but a tremendous responsibility. california has the most diverse population and the largest economy in any state in the nation. that's not a coincidence. all those dynamics play together here and bring my perspectives, my family's journey to the united states senate, not because it's my it'

experience but reptive of so many that haven't been heard. that's my opportunity and responsibility to make sure that i'm a voice for those who haven't historically been considered enough and there's pressing issues, right? we see how the covid-19 pandemic has impacted some communities, versus others. we seat person of voting rights back on the front burner and see who has easier access to the ballot and who hasn't. we look at healthcare and who is disproportion if thely uninsured, those sorts of things. we're see egg the most recent spike and how to has targeted certain communities as opposed to others, so to stand up as a member of the senate, not only with the vote but to ask questions and hold departments and agencies to account is a tremendous responsibility. >> yes. the immigrant story is the

universal california story and, really, the story of america. you really focused on the inowe qualities, though, the two californias we have despite that shared experience. your first speech ever on the senate floor, which is this past monday, can you tell us how you opened that speech. >> i think i officially open the speech with the following. this is very intentional. i introduced myself to my colleagues by saying my name is alex bilingual. it's a reflection of the two pandemics we're living through. there's a big focus on the covid-19 pandemic. there's vaccines that have been approved and distributed. take the shot when you can. it's also exacerbated and

spotlighted other pandemics, inequities, whether it's access to healthcare, economic opportunities. s who 401(k) is going up versus those who are behind on rent, mortgage, relying on food banksn to get by. who has the luxury to work at home and workers on the frontline, transportation, construction, the food industry, trying to keep the economy going and keeping everybody else safe. so, you know i outlined pivoting off the covid-19 pandemic, a whole lot of issues that we hope to take bold action on sooner rather than later. >> name two pieces of action to address some of those inequalities that you outlined. >> first, immigration reform long overdue in the united

states of america. no state has more at stake than california. second, a lot of talk about infrastructure, infrastructure and build back better. we should take the opportunity to not only invest in infrastructure but build back greener, sustainable. so we can improve resilience, improve the environment while upgrading our nation's infrastructure including a lot of infrastructure, water, housing, hospitals and more. >> all right. senator padilla, he a got to ask you for your reaction to the shootings yesterday in atlanta, georgia. a white man shot and killed eight people at three asian massage parlors and spas claiming a sex addiction. i got to ask you. what do you think congress can do to prevent such tragedies happening in the future. is it coming from the standpoint of addressing racial

division and hate? is it coming from gun control or education. what is it? >> i think it's all of above. california not only embraces but celebrates diversity. it's a matter of common sense gun safety. senator dianne feinstein was a pioneer in passing the assault weapons ban. we need to restore that and do more. it's a reminder that while donald trump is no longer in office, trumpism is in too many parts have you the country, the hateful dangerous rhetoric, whether the shooting in atlanta, to the deadly insurrection we saw on on on on capitol on january 6. we have

to identify white supremacist and root it out. >> you brought up your your you colleague, senator dian feinstein. governor gavin newsom committed to appointing a black woman should the position become available. she's your colleague now. i'm sure you talk. did you see any signs, is there any talk of her stepping down before the end of her term? >> i'm working alongside of her, i do not see her stepping down anytime soon. that being said, we certainly need more diverse voices in the united states including and including black women. not just california but whether it's ohio, pennsylvania,

alabama, missouri or elsewhere, so i want to make sure we're taking a whole list tick view. california's leadership as whole, two u.s. senators, legislative leaders. it a beautifully di versus lineup. i wish every state can do the same. >> all right. here at home, governor newsom who apointed you is facing the recall. the signatures are due today. should it make it to the ballot, what do you want them to understand or know? >> i will be direct and clear here. in the recall does qualify, i will be against. it i will campaign against it. it is hip critical that the same republicans who failed to hold trump accountable for the insurrection for january 6th is

trying to hold governor newsom responsible for trump's failure to respond to the pandemic last year. it's a waste of energy and resources that are best directed at helping struggling families and small businesses throughout the state. >> even so, senator padilla, look, you know there are 2 millionish people had have signed that petition. you're not saying all 2 million are either connected to the right wing -- many of them are probably democrats who haven't been happy with the way the pandemic has gone. >> that's precisely my point. this has been a tough year on all of us, whether it's the nervousness, the anxiety, the stress of going to work if you're an essential worker. if you've been at home and kids not able to go to work in person. it's not easy. trust me. my wife and i have been doing

it with our three boys for the last year. the reason this got so bad is because it was an utter failure of the trump administration from the very beginning. so i think it's wrong to blame it on governor newsom. if every governor had taken the bold action we took, we wouldn't be where we are. >> all right. we're glad you made time to chat with abc7 news. we wish you luck and stay in touch. >> will do. stay safe. >> that was senator padilla. coming up next, we'll talk about a potential

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and welcome back. the deadline to submit 1.5 million ballot signatures to recall governor newsom and get it on the ballot is today. yesterday governor newsom was on "the view" and other national programs defending his record. organizers said they have more than enough signatures to put the recall to voters. a few have announced their candidacy. among them san san san kevin faulconer. so yesterday the governor promised to fight the recall campaign saying those behind them are q anontypes. he said it was the

anti-vaxxers and trump supporters. 2million signatures. clearly, that's not all in that bucket but do you believe there's some that fit in that category. >> i think the governors had gotten his facts wrong president this is being supported by democrats, republicans and families. every geographic location want as change at the top top top to that sense of urgency. yes. 1.5million signatures are necessary. over 2 million will be submitted today. that's, in large part, because of the frustration and particularly parents who cannot have their kids in public schools yet. there's no excowls for that in california. >> you mentioned public schools. that's a source rough discontent. i wonder what you would have done differently. in california, as you know, we

have 1,000 school districts and each has to negotiate with their teachers union. so with the powers of governor, what would you have done? >> it's incredibly important this our schools are open now. remember, the governor said at the end of december schools will be open by february 1st and, of course, they won't. the fact that we're still here talking about schools, the fact that private schools have been open for months and months. teachers in the classroom teaching and students are safely learning. public schools which ultimately report to the governor have been closed. it's been months since cdc said it's safe to return to in- person learning. virtually every state across the country have reopened their public schools. i say that not only as

candidate for governor but father. a computer screen is no substitute for a teacher in a classroom. that's why you're seeing so many parties of all demographics in the state who are frustrated, who are angry and rightfully so. >> you mentioned many private schools have been open for long time but not public schools. covid shed the light on inequities. what would you do to make things better but mostly for those most devastated communities? >> i'm glad you mentioned the word equity because its not equitable. the private schools are not open. yet, the governors had not provided the leadership. that is affecting families all across california, affecting families to go back to their

own job, spending money on tutors and school supplies all because the governor hasn't opened schools. there's in reason why our state, which is the most innovative, greatest state in the nation, should be the last to open its public schools >> all right. mayor faulconer, republicans make up less than 25% of the registered voters in california. you haven't won a statewide election since 2006. whether it's congressman doug ocee who said he who also join the recall and john cox who ran in 2018 against governor newsom, some are republicans are being opportunist

opportunistic. >> one party rule hasn't been working for over had decade. people want leadership that will get results. when you look at what i was able this do as mayor and, again a proud republican and majority democrat city, the registration in san diego mirrors that of california. and so, to win in california, you have to win by addition. you have to win with democrats, republicans and independents. i think people are less concerned than in you have an r or a d by your until i but more concerned can he get in and get the job done. i'm very proud of the work we were able to do in san diego. i think one of the biggest issues we're facing in california is homelessness. we were the only city that

reduced it by double digits. it's a sense of urgency, action, a since of getting to it which has been lacking. i don't care if you're an independent or a republican or democrat, people want the problems solved. >> there have been a lot of attacks on asian-americans. many attribute it to some of the rhetoric from former trump including calling the covid-19 the china investigators. first, do you denounce that rhetoric? >> i denews all rhetoric. and standing with our asian- american community, we're so proud that california really reflects the diversity of who we are but condemn any hate

speech against the asian- american communities or any other. >> my second question is what would you do specifically to try to tamp down some of the racial hostilities we're seeing in california? >> you have to be outspoken about it. that's where this begins. there's in place are in this type of hate in any place in the united states and certainly no place here in california and i was glad to see law enforcement respond so quickly to that which we saw in atlanta, and i will tell you just as -- it's incredibly important that we bring people together because that represents the best of who we are in california. that's our strength, coming together to solve problems. that's when we're at our best. >> all right. former san diego mayor kevin faulconer. thank you for your time today. i enjoyed the conversation and hope we continue to have an

open line of communication. >> thank you. a local jewelry designer

there's been a spate of attacks on asian-americans and people standing up saying enough is enough. that includes artists and small business owners. joining us is peggy lee, a jewelry designer. we featured her on midday live during a different time. peggy, we call it bc, before covid, your first time back since then. great to see you, peggy. >> great to see you, kristen. >> you've always been an artist with a social mission. you designed a pen deputy to celebrate the town you drew up. you donate proceeds to the

recovery effort. you are, again, taking action. before you show us what you created, i want you to tell us why this cuts so deeply to see all these attacks. >> yeah, i mean, we're all in this time during the pandemic, small businesses, different communities are having a hard time. i was looking to give back top communities like our local china town, which are places like my parents who were immigrants here, would drive us down to santa rosa every weekend to share their culture with us. i wanted to find a way if give back to those communities and the rise in hate crime sort of hit the news. it was so shocking and saddening that our elders and people who are the most vulnerable in our community were being targeted in the attack. in addition to creating a piece that gives back to to

grassroots organizations, i created a piece that's go toward the gofundme stop api hate >> the necklace to stop api hate and the necklace to support save our chinatown. we're looking at the picture. it looks like an oh, and fortune cookie. >> it would be this year of the ox pendant which is in sterling silver. the profits will go api hate fund-raiser run by gofundme. the second one is this fortune cookie charm which i will donate the profits to save our chinatown, which is local grass

roots organization. >> that is fantastic. i love the idea and they are so cute. your pieces have been popular shows clopping the bachelorette. including the bachelorette. hate aside, there's been this huge drop in support of those going to those mom and pop shops and smaller shops. >> correct. i think artists are plugged into social media. they have a great way of getting the word out and highlighting specific businesses and everybody has a favorite and it is just about being able to amplify that message and continuing to share and talk about businesses that need our help all right. well, peggy, this is fantastic. $59 for that fortune cookie necklace and all proceeds go to save our chinatown and stop api

hate. i really like that little ox

all right. thank you so much for joining us today on this interactive show getting answers. today we talked with u.s. senator from california alex padilla about his historic new role and recalling governor gavin newsom, replacing senator dianne feinstein. we also talked to good-bye oriole candidate, kevin faulconer. ed we talked with san francisco

jewelry designer pegly li tonight, the deadly and horrific shooting rampage in atlanta. eight people killed, six of the victims asian women. tonight, the gunman has been charged with eight counts of murder after opening fire at is three spas. the suspect in custody. authorities believe they halted further attacks in florida. police say the suspect's own parents identified him from surveillance images. news tonight on a possible motive, as these killings stir more fear among asian-americans. the president and vice president both weighing in tonight. also tonight, as we come on the air, the extremely dangerous tornado threat across seven states. several reports of tornadoes on the ground already tonight and you'll see the images coming in. 60 million americans on alert from louisiana all the way to thea