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California
Candidate profile

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Steve Padilla

Steve Padilla

Democratic · California · 2026 · Incumbent

Running for California Senate District 18, California

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Strengthen digital safety protections for children, per official Senate site
  • Expand community representation on air quality boards, per official Senate site
  • Reform insurance claims practices, per official Senate site
Biography

Steve Padilla is a sitting State Senator who previously served as Chula Vista's first Latino and first LGBTQ Mayor, per Padilla's campaign site. Padilla began a career as a Chula Vista Police Explorer Scout and became a police detective specializing in protecting seniors and children from abuse, per the same source.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

On the ballot

California Senate District 18California · 2026San Diego County sample ballot

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
How we source this

Profile facts follow official election office filings and the sources cited in each biography. Roster last verified October 14, 2026. Official sources are the final word on who appears on your ballot.

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