2025-26 Legislative Term Social: A Conversation with Senator Steve Padilla
Senator Steve Padilla represents California’s 18th District, which stretches from the urban city of Chula Vista to the rural communities around the Salton Sea and Imperial areas, making it one of the state’s most geographically and politically diverse districts. A Democrat and former Chula Vista mayor, Padilla has built his career on urban development, labor protections, and environmental conservation, particularly efforts to restore the Salton Sea. With a background in law enforcement and decades of public service, he brings a progressive but pragmatic approach, balancing growth-focused policies with advocacy for LGBTQ rights, minority representation, and sustainable development.
Our Conversation:
Q: Based on the issues your constituents care about, what bill proposal ideas do you have?
A: I will be working in conjunction with my coalition, the California Dream Coalition, to propose general bills to address the issues and needs from California from the economic perspective. But, for my constituents specifically, I want to angle on one: city development. I want to make sure that Chula Vista [the city I am from] is not only more walkable but also more lively. New urban development programs, making sure we have more main streets again. [Secondly], I want to focus specifically on the salt and sea. It’s a major area of conservation in my district. I want to make sure we have a specific pipeline set up between the UCs and environmental observation specialists.
Q: Would you be open to collaborating with other senators or lobbyists on bills? And if so, who?
A: I plan for a lot of my work to be through my coalition.
Q: Do you plan to run for any leadership positions today? If so, what?
A: I do. I plan to run for Pro Tempore, as I want to take leadership with the Democrats’ injunction with my coalition so we can take a more priority stance.
Q: Can you elaborate on this coalition, how many members do you have?
A: So, it's the California Dream Coalition. We have roughly 11 members and counting right now. The main objective is to focus on a California whole economic program. People's California dream is not being realized because of the affordability issues and general quality of life issues in the state. We want to focus on housing, education, healthcare, labor issues, and anything else.
Q: What do you hope to achieve by the end of your term?
A: I hope to achieve comprehensive, broad California legislation that affects every sector of the state, encouraging the quality of life, and by that measure, benefit my district as a whole.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like the people of District 18 to know?
A: I am here for you to do everything I can to represent you, to make sure that regardless of the deeply diverse makeup of District 18, you have someone that will make sure you are addressed.
Senator Steve Padilla’s decades of experience in public service, from law enforcement to local government, inform his progressive yet pragmatic approach in Sacramento. By focusing on urban development, labor protections, and environmental conservation, he looks to unify his geographically diverse district while advancing policies that improve quality of life across California.
