Pete Aguilar

Pete Aguilar
House Creative Services, Franmarie Metzler · Public domain · source
Name	Pete Aguilar
Birth date	1988-06-19
Birth place	Redlands, California, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Gina Aguilar
Education	University of Redlands (BA)
Occupation	Politician

Pete Aguilar is an American politician who serves as the U.S. Representative for California's 33rd congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as Mayor of Redlands, California and on the Redlands City Council. Aguilar has been active on issues including infrastructure, veterans' affairs, immigration, and budgetary policy, and has held party leadership positions in the United States House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Aguilar was born in Redlands, California to immigrant parents and raised in a family with ties to San Bernardino County, California and the Inland Empire. He attended Redlands High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Redlands, where he studied political science and engaged with campus chapters of organizations such as La Raza and community groups linked to San Bernardino Valley College and regional nonprofits. During his youth he participated in local civic initiatives connected to San Bernardino National Forest stewardship and regional cultural institutions like the Redlands Bowl.

Local political career

Aguilar was elected to the Redlands City Council and later served as Mayor of Redlands, California, working alongside municipal agencies, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, and regional transit entities such as the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. As a council member and mayor he collaborated with officials from neighboring cities including Riverside, California, San Bernardino, California, and Fontana, California on land use, public safety, and economic development projects that involved partnerships with the California Department of Transportation and state legislators from the California State Assembly and California State Senate. His municipal tenure included engagement with mayors from the League of California Cities and federal representatives from the United States Congress on wildfire response, water resources linked to the Colorado River, and workforce initiatives associated with regional employers like Redlands Community Hospital and local education leaders at the University of California, Riverside.

U.S. House of Representatives

Aguilar was elected to the United States House of Representatives representing a district encompassing parts of the Inland Empire and suburban Los Angeles County. In Congress he has served on committees including the House Appropriations Committee and the House Democratic Caucus committees, working with chairs from the United States Senate and members of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on appropriations, oversight, and constituent services. Aguilar has introduced and supported legislation addressing infrastructure funding tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, veterans' benefits connected to the Department of Veterans Affairs, disaster relief coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and immigration reforms intersecting with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Legislative positions and policy priorities

Aguilar has prioritized investments in transportation projects aligned with the Federal Highway Administration and regional transit agencies such as the Southern California Association of Governments and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He has championed veterans' issues in coordination with the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, supported funding for wildland fire mitigation involving the United States Forest Service, and advocated for small business initiatives tied to the Small Business Administration and local chambers of commerce. On immigration he has engaged with stakeholders including advocacy groups such as United We Dream and National Immigration Law Center while addressing border security debates involving the Department of Homeland Security and litigation heard in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Aguilar has also weighed in on budget negotiations with leaders from the House Budget Committee and the Senate Budget Committee, and on technology and trade matters overlapping with the United States Trade Representative and agencies like the Federal Communications Commission.

Leadership roles and caucus memberships

Within the United States House of Representatives Aguilar has served in leadership as part of the House Democratic Caucus leadership team, collaborating with figures from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and party leadership offices including the Speaker of the House and the House Minority Leader offices. He is a member of congressional caucuses aligned with ethnic and regional representation such as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and has participated in issue-focused groups like the Congressional Progressive Caucus and bipartisan working groups that involve members from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. His leadership role has involved coordination with state and national Democratic organizations including the California Democratic Party and Democratic National Committee on campaign, outreach, and policy strategy.

Personal life and community involvement

Aguilar lives in Redlands, California with his wife, Gina Aguilar, and their child, and is active in local civic institutions including the Redlands Community Hospital board engagements and cultural events such as the Redlands Bowl and regional festivals. He has worked with nonprofits and service organizations like the United Way and local chapters of Habitat for Humanity and supports educational partnerships with institutions including the University of Redlands and San Bernardino Valley College. Aguilar maintains relationships with statewide elected officials including the Governor of California and members of the California State Legislature to advance projects for his district and the Inland Empire community.

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from California Category:California Democrats Category:People from Redlands, California