Progress with Penaloza

About David

David Penaloza is a Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember, businessman, husband, father, community leader, and lifelong Orange County resident.

David was first elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. As a Councilmember, he has helped to build over 2,000 new housing units, open five new parks, hire 50 more sworn police officers, repair streets and local infrastructure, and champion the first new library in 60 years. David also helped lead efforts to make city services more accessible, revitalize downtown, and refinance the city’s pension debt.

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 he serves as the 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.

Growing up in Santa Ana, David played baseball and learned to swim at the Memorial Park Community Pool. Later as a City Councilmember, David helped lead repairs and restoration of that pool, which hadn’t been renovated since 1965. He played water polo and swam competitively for the Saddleback High School Roadrunners. David earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles. He is a member of the Elks Lodge #794, and has volunteered with the Children’s Resource Center, a program through the Illumination Foundation.

David and his wife, former Garden Grove Councilwoman Kim Nguyen-Penaloza, live in Santa Ana with their two kids, Penelope and Lucas, and their dogs, Ein and Jax.

Tragedy changed David’s life.

David grew up in Orange County—his father worked at the Jacuzzi whirlpool factory in Tustin until he was able to open his own candy and party supply store in Santa Ana. David was just three years old when his father was killed by a drunk driver, leaving David’s mom to raise three boys. Their business closed after his father died, and David’s mom worked multiple jobs to help make sure her sons could stay in school. Their family endured because friends, neighbors, and teachers rallied around them. David’s mom taught him to cherish every day and always look out for people who need the most help.

Vote David Penaloza for State Assembly

Proven local leadership for Santa Ana, Orange, and Anaheim.