Steve Padilla

Political Party: Democrat

District: California State Senate District 18

Steve Padilla was born in Chula Vista and is a lifelong resident of San Diego County. He is the first person of color ever elected to city office in Chula Vista, the first Latino Mayor of the city, and the first openly LGBTQ person to serve or be elected to city office in Chula Vista.

Before entering electoral politics, Padilla served 13 years in law enforcement, beginning with the Chula Vista Police Department and later serving as a Detective with the Coronado Police Department, where he specialized in cases involving domestic violence and child abuse.

In 2020, Padilla became the first elected official in California to test positive for COVID-19. He spent three weeks in the intensive care unit at UCSD Thornton Hospital, including 11 days on a ventilator, and has since been committed to helping communities recover from the pandemic.

Political Experience

Padilla's elected career began in 1994 when he was elected to the Chula Vista City Council, where he served two terms. In 2002, he was elected as Chula Vista's 38th Mayor and served until 2006.

After a period away from elected office, Padilla returned to public service in 2016 when he was appointed to the California Coastal Commission. He served as Chairman of the Coastal Commission from 2019 to 2021, leading efforts to combat sea-level rise and environmental protection along California's coast.

Padilla was elected to the California State Senate in November 2022, winning with 59.8% of the vote in District 18. He has initiated 40 bills during his Senate tenure, with 8 passing, 8 failing, and 24 currently pending.

Education

Padilla holds undergraduate degrees in Liberal Arts and Public Administration from Southwestern College and National University. He also studied law at Western State University College of Law.