Pete Aguilar

Pete Aguilar
Name	Pete Aguilar
Caption	Official portrait, 2023
Office	33rd House Democratic Caucus Chair
Term start	January 3, 2023
Predecessor	Hakeem Jeffries
Office2	House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair
Term start2	January 3, 2021
Term end2	January 3, 2023
Predecessor2	Katherine Clark
Successor2	Ted Lieu
State3	California
District3	33rd
Term start3	January 3, 2015
Predecessor3	Henry Waxman
Party	Democratic
Birth name	Peter Rey Aguilar
Birth date	19 June 1979
Birth place	Fontana, California, U.S.
Spouse	Alisha Aguilar
Education	University of Redlands (BA)

Pete Aguilar is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 33rd congressional district since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he represents a district encompassing parts of San Bernardino County including the cities of San Bernardino, Redlands, and Rancho Cucamonga. Aguilar has risen to significant leadership within the House Democratic Caucus, serving as its chair since 2023 after previously holding the position of vice chair. His career is marked by advocacy for Inland Empire communities, national security, and Democratic legislative priorities.

Early life and education

Peter Rey Aguilar was born in Fontana, California, and was raised in the neighboring city of Rancho Cucamonga. His family has deep roots in the Inland Empire region, with his grandfather having served in the United States Army during World War II. Aguilar attended local public schools before pursuing higher education at the University of Redlands, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. During his time at university, he became actively involved in student government and local community issues, laying an early foundation for his future career in public service.

Political career

Prior to his election to Congress, Aguilar built a substantial record in local government. He was elected to the Redlands City Council in 2006, where he focused on municipal budgeting and public safety initiatives. In 2010, his colleagues selected him to serve as Mayor of Redlands, a position he held until 2014. During his tenure as mayor, he worked on economic development projects and responded to the challenges of the Great Recession. Aguilar first ran for the United States House of Representatives in 2012 in the old California's 31st congressional district but was defeated in the general election by Republican Gary Miller.

U.S. House of Representatives

Aguilar was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014, succeeding longtime Representative Henry Waxman. He took office in the 114th United States Congress and has since been re-elected consistently from the California's 33rd congressional district. In Congress, he quickly gained a reputation as a pragmatic legislator and was appointed to the influential House Committee on Appropriations. Aguilar's leadership profile grew significantly when he was elected by his peers as House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair for the 117th United States Congress, serving under then-House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries. Following the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections, he was elected as the House Democratic Caucus Chair for the 118th United States Congress.

Committee assignments

Throughout his congressional tenure, Aguilar has held seats on several key committees. His primary assignment is on the House Committee on Appropriations, one of the most powerful committees in Congress, where he serves on the Defense Subcommittee and the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee. He previously served on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Administration Committee. These assignments have positioned him to influence federal spending, national security policy, and the operational functions of the United States Congress.

Political positions

Aguilar is a mainstream Democrat who generally aligns with the party's leadership on major issues. He has been a vocal advocate for protecting Social Security and Medicare, comprehensive immigration reform, and strengthening gun violence prevention laws. As a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he has worked on issues affecting the Latino community. On foreign policy, serving on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, he has supported robust funding for the Department of Defense and strengthening alliances like NATO. He voted to impeach President Donald Trump during both the first and second impeachment trials and served as an impeachment manager during the second trial.

Personal life

Aguilar resides in Redlands, California, with his wife, Alisha, and their two children. He is a lifelong resident of the Inland Empire and is actively involved in local civic and charitable organizations. Aguilar is a Roman Catholic and has spoken about how his faith informs his commitment to public service. In his spare time, he is an avid supporter of local sports teams and enjoys spending time with his family in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from California Category:California Democrats Category:American people of Mexican descent Category:University of Redlands alumni Category:Mayors of places in California