Chula Vista Councilmember and California Coastal Commission Chairman Steve Padilla announced Thursday his candidacy for the 40th State Senate District, which includes the southern part of San Diego County and all of Imperial County.
Padilla was previously Mayor of Chula Vista and a San Diego Port Commissioner. He began his career as a police detective.
In March he came close to death with a severe COVID-19 infection, spending 11 days on a ventilator at UCSD Thornton Hospital.
“Recovering from COVID-19, and now working to help South Bay recover from this pandemic, has made me even more determined to make tomorrow better than today,” Padilla said in announcing his candidacy. “I’m running for state Senate because this time of crisis demands values that can’t be swayed from one election to the next and a real commitment to our community. “
He said his priorities include creating jobs, supporting small businesses, addressing income inequality and racial justice, expanding access to healthcare, strengthening public education and building affordable housing.
Padilla was endorsed by current Sen. Ben Hueso, who is termed out, as well as Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas and Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez.
The 40th District includes the southern part of the City of San Diego, as well as the cities of Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, El Centro, Calexico and Brawley.