This post was originally published on this site
Santa Ana, CA – Santa Ana City Councilmember David Penaloza has announced his candidacy for the 68th State Assembly District. Penaloza launches his campaign with the support of Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, incumbent Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, and Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua.
In announcing his campaign, Councilmember Penaloza released the following statement:
“When prices rise faster than paychecks, plans become dreams, and dreams disappear for working families. When I see the costs of groceries, gas, healthcare, college education, and housing, I think about the impossible struggle my mother faced as a widow who had to raise three children on her own. I now find myself, a young professional, trying to provide for and raise my family while also trying to provide for my elderly mom. I’m running for State Assembly because I want to help people like my mom, and young families like mine – people struggling every day just to make ends meet. I’ll listen to Orange County residents, build consensus to get things done, and always advocate for our most vulnerable populations. I am thrilled to announce this campaign and humbled by the outpouring of early support.”
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas released the following statement:
“Successful legislators are more focused on bringing people together than driving them apart. David Penaloza has a track record of building consensus, honestly engaging with challenges, and solving problems constructively. David has the character, experience, and track record to serve his community and our state with distinction. I’m proud to support his campaign.”
Assemblymember Avelino Valencia said:
“For as long as I’ve known David, he has been working to build a brighter future for central Orange County. As a volunteer youth mentor, neighborhood leader and City Councilmember, David has centered his work on serving others. David has helped secure investments in his community that support law enforcement, assist seniors, beautify communities, build new parks, and add housing. There is no one better prepared to serve the 68th Assembly District than David Penaloza.”
Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua added:
“David Penaloza is a tireless force for good in our city. He helped lead Santa Ana through COVID-19, and he’s championed measures to increase transparency. David helped bring back the City of Santa Ana’s library department, and he’s playing a key role in the building of our first new library in more than 60 years. In the State Assembly, I know he’ll lead with integrity and advocate for every person he represents.”
The 68th Assembly District includes portions of the cities of Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Orange, as well as unincorporated areas of Orange County.
ABOUT DAVID PENALOZA
David Penaloza is a lifelong Orange County resident, City Councilmember, businessman, husband, father, and community leader.
David was elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. In his time on the Council, David has helped build over 2,000 units of new housing, reduce 911 response times, hire more police officers, open four new parks, repair streets, and create local jobs.
Professionally, David is a businessman who has worked for the same Orange County company for the last 16 years. In addition to his City Council service, David is currently the Vice President for the League of California Cities-Orange County Division and serves as the Vice-Chair for the Transportation Corridor Agencies. He also previously served as the large city representative for the Orange County Housing Finance Trust, a Joint Powers Authority dedicated to making resources available to address the homelessness and affordability crisis. David earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles.
David and his wife, former Garden Grove Councilwoman Kim Nguyen-Penaloza, live in Orange County with their 11-month-old daughter Penelope and dogs Ein and Jax. They are also expecting baby number two (a boy) this coming March.
