Steve Padilla

Steve Padilla

Democratic Party

California State Senate District 18

Tenure

2022 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

1

Predecessor

Robert Hertzberg

Prior offices

Chula Vista City Council

---

Mayor of Chula Vista

---

Chula Vista City Council District 3

Successor: Alonso Gonzalez

Predecessor: Pamela Bensoussan

---

Report an officeholder change

Compensation

Base salary

$128,215/year

Per diem

$214/day

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

High school

Bonita Vista High School, 1985

Bachelor's

Southwestern College

Personal

Birthplace

San Diego, Calif.

Profession

Law enforcement

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal Facebook

float:right;
border:1px solid #FFB81F;
background-color: white;
width: 250px;
font-size: .9em;
margin-bottom:0px;

} .infobox p { margin-bottom: 0; } .widget-row { display: inline-block; width: 100%; margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px; } .widget-row.heading { font-size: 1.2em; } .widget-row.value-only { text-align: center; background-color: grey; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.value-only.white { background-color: #f9f9f9; } .widget-row.value-only.black { background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; } .widget-row.Democratic { background-color: #003388; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Republican { background-color: red; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { background-color: grey; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Libertarian { background-color: #f9d334; color: black; font-weight: bold; } .widget-row.Green { background-color: green; color: white; font-weight: bold; } .widget-key { width: 43%; display: inline-block; padding-left: 10px; vertical-align: top; font-weight: bold; } .widget-value { width: 57%; float: right; display: inline-block; padding-left: 10px; word-wrap: break-word; } .widget-img { width: 150px; display: block; margin: auto; } .clearfix { clear: both; }

Steve Padilla (Democratic Party) is a member of the California State Senate, representing District 18. He assumed office on December 5, 2022. His current term ends on December 7, 2026.

Padilla (Democratic Party) ran for election to the California State Senate to represent District 18. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Padilla also ran for election to the California State Senate to represent District 40. He did not appear on the ballot for the primary on June 7, 2022.

Biography

Steve Padilla was born in San Diego, California, and lives in Chula Vista. Padilla graduated from Bonita Vista High School in 1985. He also graduated from the Southwestern Police Academy. Padilla earned undergraduate degrees in liberal arts and public administration from Southwestern College and National University. Padilla was elected to the Chula Vista City Council in 1994, serving two terms. He served as mayor from 2002 to 2006.

Committee assignments

2023-2024

Padilla was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Agriculture Committee
• Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
• Senate Governmental Organization Committee
• Housing Committee
• Natural Resources and Water Committee
• Legislative Budget Committee
• Climate Change Policies Committee

color: #337ab7,
}

Elections

2022

District 18

See also: California State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for California State Senate District 18

Steve Padilla defeated Alejandro Galicia in the general election for California State Senate District 18 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Padilla (D)	59.8	115,103
		Alejandro Galicia (R)	40.2	77,223

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 192,326
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Senate District 18

Steve Padilla and Alejandro Galicia advanced from the primary for California State Senate District 18 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Padilla (D)	61.0	74,495
✔		Alejandro Galicia (R)	39.0	47,689

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 122,184
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

District 40

See also: California State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for California State Senate District 40

Incumbent Brian Jones defeated Joseph Rocha in the general election for California State Senate District 40 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Jones (R)	53.1	170,109
		Joseph Rocha (D)	46.9	149,948

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 320,057
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Senate District 40

Incumbent Brian Jones and Joseph Rocha advanced from the primary for California State Senate District 40 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Jones (R)	54.4	113,400
✔		Joseph Rocha (D)	45.6	94,960

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 208,360
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Steve Padilla (D)

2020

See also: City elections in Chula Vista, California (2020)

General election

General election for Chula Vista City Council District 3

Incumbent Steve Padilla defeated Henry Martinez II in the general election for Chula Vista City Council District 3 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Padilla (Nonpartisan)	56.3	19,359
		Henry Martinez II (Nonpartisan)	43.7	15,016

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 34,375
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Chula Vista City Council District 3

Incumbent Steve Padilla and Henry Martinez II defeated Doug Wolf in the primary for Chula Vista City Council District 3 on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steve Padilla (Nonpartisan)	54.8	7,744
✔		Henry Martinez II (Nonpartisan)	31.1	4,404
		Doug Wolf (Nonpartisan)	14.1	1,992

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,140
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Municipal elections in Chula Vista, California (2016)

The city of Chula Vista, California, held elections for two seats on the Chula Vista City Council in 2016. The general election occurred on June 7, 2016. A runoff election was held on November 8, 2016. Because only two candidates qualified for the ballot, the election was moved back to November 8. Steve Padilla defeated Jason Paguio in the race for the District 3 seat of the Chula Vista City Council.

Chula Vista District 3 City Council, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Steve Padilla	55.95%	12,720
Jason Paguio	44.05%	10,016
Total Votes		22,736
Source: San Diego County Registrar of Voters, "Official 2016 General Election Results," accessed December 8, 2016

2014

See also: Chula Vista, California city council elections, 2014

The city of Chula Vista, California held city council elections on June 3, 2014. Robert Corcilius, John McCann, Steve Padilla, Jason Paguio, Heideh Rivera and Scott Vinson faced off in the general election. Because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters - McCann and Padilla - met in a runoff election on November 4, 2014. McCann defeated Padilla. Incumbent Rudy Ramirez was ineligible to run due to term limits.

Chula Vista City Council, Seat 1, 2014
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
John McCann	50%	18,448
Steve Padilla	50%	18,446
Total Votes		36,894
Source: County of San Diego - 2014 Election Results

Chula Vista City Council, Seat 1, 2014
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
John McCann	37.1%	8,109
Steve Padilla	32.5%	7,099
Robert Corcilius	1.8%	400
Jason Paguio	9.5%	2,078
Heideh Rivera	5.6%	1,230
Scott Vinson	13.5%	2,960
Total Votes		18,916
Source: County of San Diego - 2014 Election Results

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Steve Padilla did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Steve Padilla did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Steve Padilla did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2014

On his campaign website, Padilla highlighted the following issues:

• "Create Good Paying Jobs right here in Chula Vista by bringing good jobs in clean energy to the University Park and Research Center and getting the Bayfront done to create 9,000 local jobs."
• "Strengthen Public Safety by giving our law enforcement and first responders the resources they need to make all Chula Vista neighborhoods safe and prosperous."
• "Support Stronger Schools throughout our City by fighting for simple, back to basics educational programs to ensure our children get the resources they need to succeed."
• "Stand up to Special Interests to ensure all Chula Vista neighborhoods get their fair share."

Campaign finance summary

---

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Steve Padilla campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	California State Senate District 18	Won general	$977,548	$797,692
Grand total			$977,548	$797,692
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Noteworthy events

Tested positive for coronavirus on March 14, 2020

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

On March 14, 2020, Steve Padilla announced he tested positive for coronavirus.

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit

COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019, is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The first confirmed case of the disease in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020. For more of Ballotpedia's coverage of the coronavirus impact on political and civic life, click here.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in California

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of California scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the California State Legislature was in session from January 1 to September 14. California Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber. California Environmental Justice Alliance Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. California League of Conservation Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues. Health Access California Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers. Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer-related issues. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health. Sierra Club California Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.

See also

2022 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Heart of the Primaries The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

   .contact_entity {font-size: 1.5em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}
   .contact_office { margin-top: 0.3em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}
   .external_links_table { width: auto !important; }
   @media (max-width:600px) {
       .contact_entity {font-size: 1.0em ;margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 0.5em;}
       .contact_office { font-size: 0.8 em; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0em;margin-right: 0.5em;}  
   }

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

California State Senate District 18

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Officeholder

California State Senate District 18

Website

Facebook

Personal

Facebook

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Robert Hertzberg (D)	California State Senate District 18 2022-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by Pamela Bensoussan	Chula Vista City Council District 3 2016-2022	Succeeded by Alonso Gonzalez
Preceded by -	Mayor of Chula Vista 2002-2006	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Chula Vista City Council 1994-2002	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the California State Senate

Leadership

Minority Leader:Brian Jones

Senators

District 1

Megan Dahle (R)

District 2

Mike McGuire (D)

District 3

Christopher Cabaldon (D)

District 4

Marie Alvarado-Gil (R)

District 5

Jerry McNerney (D)

District 6

Roger Niello (R)

District 7

Jesse Arreguín (D)

District 8

Angelique Ashby (D)

District 9

Tim Grayson (D)

District 10

Aisha Wahab (D)

District 11

Scott Wiener (D)

District 12

Shannon Grove (R)

District 13

Josh Becker (D)

District 14

Anna Caballero (D)

District 15

Dave Cortese (D)

District 16

Melissa Hurtado (D)

District 17

John Laird (D)

District 18

Steve Padilla (D)

District 19

Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R)

District 20

Caroline Menjivar (D)

District 21

S. Limón (D)

District 22

Susan Rubio (D)

District 23

Suzette Valladares (R)

District 24

Ben Allen (D)

District 25

Sasha Renée Pérez (D)

District 26

Maria Durazo (D)

District 27

Henry Stern (D)

District 28

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D)

District 29

Eloise Reyes (D)

District 30

Bob Archuleta (D)

District 31

Sabrina Cervantes (D)

District 32

Kelly Seyarto (R)

District 33

Lena Gonzalez (D)

District 34

Tom Umberg (D)

District 35

Laura Richardson (D)

District 36

Vacant

District 37

Steven Choi (R)

District 38

Catherine Blakespear (D)

District 39

Akilah Weber (D)

District 40

Brian Jones (R)

Democratic Party (30)

Republican Party (9)

Vacancies (1)