Pete Aguilar

Pete Aguilar
Born	Peter Rey Aguilar 19 6, 1979
Birthplace	Fontana, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, highest-ranking Latino in the U.S. Congress
Education	University of Redlands (BS)
Spouse(s)	Alisha Aguilar
Children	2
Website	[aguilar.house.gov Official site]

Peter Rey Aguilar (born June 19, 1979) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 33rd congressional district since 2015 and as chair of the House Democratic Caucus since January 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Aguilar is the highest-ranking Latino in the United States Congress. Before his election to Congress, Aguilar served on the Redlands City Council beginning in 2006 and as mayor of Redlands, California, from 2010 to 2014. He also served as president of the Inland Empire Division of the League of California Cities. Since entering Congress, Aguilar has risen steadily through the ranks of House Democratic leadership, serving as vice chair of the caucus from 2021 to 2023 before being elevated to chair. In Congress, he has focused on legislative priorities including gun violence reduction, veterans' homelessness, student loan reform, and trade policy affecting the Inland Empire region. In 2026, Aguilar announced his intention to run for Democratic whip should Democrats win a House majority, while affirming his commitment to remaining in the House rather than pursuing statewide office.

Early Life

Peter Rey Aguilar was born on June 19, 1979, in Fontana, California, a city in San Bernardino County in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. He grew up in the Inland Empire, a sprawling suburban and exurban area east of Los Angeles. Aguilar's upbringing in the region shaped his later political focus on issues facing Inland Empire communities, including economic development, housing, and access to public services. His family background — with the surname Aguilar reflecting his Latino heritage — contributed to his identity as a representative of a rapidly diversifying area of California. The Inland Empire experienced significant population growth during the late twentieth century, and communities like Fontana and Redlands saw substantial demographic changes during Aguilar's youth.

Aguilar eventually settled in Redlands, California, a city of approximately 70,000 people located in the eastern portion of the Inland Empire. Redlands, known for its historic architecture and citrus heritage, became the community where Aguilar would build both his personal life and his political career. His roots in the area provided him with a deep familiarity with the economic and social challenges facing the region, including issues related to transportation infrastructure, employment, and access to higher education.

Education

Aguilar attended the University of Redlands, a private liberal arts university located in the city where he would later serve on the city council and as mayor. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the institution. The University of Redlands, founded in 1907, is a well-established institution in the Inland Empire with a tradition of community engagement. Aguilar's education at the university connected him to the Redlands community and laid the groundwork for his subsequent involvement in local government and civic life.

Career

Redlands City Council (2006–2014)

Aguilar began his political career at the local level, winning election to the Redlands City Council in 2006. As a council member, he engaged with issues of municipal governance including land use, public safety, and local economic development. His service on the council provided him with experience in the day-to-day workings of municipal government in a mid-sized California city.

In November 2010, Aguilar's colleagues on the Redlands City Council selected him to serve as mayor of Redlands, succeeding Pat Gilbreath. In the Redlands system of municipal governance, the mayor is selected from among sitting council members rather than through a separate citywide election. The November 2010 election cycle saw political change in the region, with mayors in both Colton and Redlands being replaced. Aguilar was formally installed as mayor on December 7, 2010, and served in the position until December 2, 2014, when he resigned from the city council following his election to Congress. Paul Foster succeeded him as mayor, and in January 2015, the Redlands City Council selected John James to fill the vacancy left by Aguilar's departure.

During his time as mayor, Aguilar also served as president of the Inland Empire Division of the League of California Cities, an organization representing municipal governments across the region. This role gave him a broader platform to advocate for the interests of Inland Empire cities on state-level policy matters.

2012 Congressional Campaign

In January 2012, Aguilar announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in California's 31st congressional district. The 31st district, which encompassed portions of the Inland Empire including parts of San Bernardino County, was one of several competitive districts in the region. Aguilar's 2012 campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, as he did not advance through California's top-two primary system to the general election. The defeat was a setback but did not end his congressional ambitions.

2014 Congressional Campaign

Following his 2012 defeat, Aguilar began preparing for a second run at the congressional seat. In 2013, he formally announced another bid for Congress in the 31st district. The 2014 campaign proved more successful. In June 2014, Aguilar advanced through the primary election as a Democratic candidate in the 31st congressional district. He went on to win the general election in November 2014, defeating Republican incumbent Gary Miller, who had chosen not to seek reelection. Aguilar resigned from the Redlands City Council in December 2014 to prepare for his transition to Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives (2015–present)

Aguilar took office on January 3, 2015, representing California's 31st congressional district. Following the 2020 redistricting cycle, his district was renumbered as California's 33rd congressional district, though it continued to encompass Inland Empire communities. He succeeded Republican Gary Miller in the seat.

Legislative Priorities

In Congress, Aguilar focused on several policy areas of particular importance to his Inland Empire constituents and to his broader legislative agenda.

Gun Violence Reduction: Aguilar took an active role in legislative efforts to address gun violence. He advocated for measures to reduce gun violence, framing the issue as nonpartisan.

Veterans' Homelessness: Aguilar announced the securing of federal funds to combat veteran homelessness in San Bernardino County, reflecting his attention to the needs of the region's veteran population.

Student Loan Reform: In 2016, Aguilar introduced legislation aimed at making student loans easier to repay, addressing the burden of student debt on residents of his district and across the country.

Trade Policy: Aguilar testified before the U.S. Trade Commission in support of trade policies affecting the Inland Empire, a region with significant logistics and warehousing industries connected to international trade through the nearby ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Immigration: Aguilar has spoken publicly about the need for improvements to both immigration policy and the rhetoric surrounding it.

Rise in Democratic Leadership

Aguilar's ascent through the ranks of House Democratic leadership was a defining feature of his congressional career. On January 3, 2021, he began serving as vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, succeeding Katherine Clark in the position. He served under Speaker Nancy Pelosi's leadership during this period. When Hakeem Jeffries was elected House Democratic Leader ahead of the 118th Congress, Aguilar was elevated to chair of the House Democratic Caucus on January 3, 2023, succeeding Jeffries in that role. Ted Lieu succeeded Aguilar as vice chair.

As caucus chair, Aguilar became the third-ranking Democrat in the House, behind Leader Jeffries and Whip Clark. The position made him the highest-ranking Latino member of the United States Congress, a historic distinction.

National Security Task Force

In June 2025, Aguilar re-launched the Democratic Caucus National Security Task Force, an initiative aimed at addressing national security challenges and ensuring continued American leadership in global affairs. The task force provided a platform for House Democrats to coordinate their positions on defense, intelligence, and foreign policy matters.

Advocacy for Inland Empire Constituents

Aguilar has continued to advocate for the interests of his Inland Empire district throughout his time in Congress. In July 2025, he joined Representative Norma Torres and other California members of Congress in calling for the reopening of an Inland Empire Job Corps Center that had been abruptly closed, sending a letter demanding immediate action from federal officials.

In October 2025, Aguilar spoke publicly about the potential impact of proposed federal spending legislation on programs in his Inland Empire district, including concerns about healthcare cuts and a possible government shutdown.

Joint Democratic Leadership Statements

As caucus chair, Aguilar has been a regular participant in joint leadership statements alongside Leader Jeffries and Whip Clark. In January 2026, the three Democratic leaders issued a joint statement regarding Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security. In February 2026, Aguilar appeared on Bloomberg Television to discuss issues including tariffs on Canada and DHS funding, expressing concerns about ICE and its leadership.

In November 2025, Aguilar appeared on Bloomberg's Balance of Power program, where he discussed government transparency issues.

2026 State of the Union Guest

In February 2026, Aguilar announced that Dr. Cameo Carter, a pediatrician who owns her practice in his district, would serve as his guest at the 2026 State of the Union address.

Future Leadership Ambitions

In January 2026, Aguilar announced that he intended to remain in the House of Representatives and would run for the position of Democratic whip if the party won a majority in the November 2026 elections. He stated that he would not seek statewide office in California. This announcement signaled his continued commitment to building power within the House Democratic caucus and his ambition to advance further within the party's leadership hierarchy.

Personal Life

Pete Aguilar is married to Alisha Aguilar, and the couple has two children. The family resides in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, maintaining deep ties to the community Aguilar represents in Congress. Aguilar has spoken about the importance of his family and his roots in the region as motivating factors in his public service.

Aguilar's personal connection to the Inland Empire has been a consistent theme throughout his political career, from his education at the University of Redlands to his service on the Redlands City Council and in Congress. He has emphasized his understanding of the economic challenges facing working families in the region, including issues related to housing affordability, access to healthcare, and educational opportunity.

Recognition

As chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Aguilar holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking Latino member of the United States Congress, a position of historic significance given the growing political influence of Latino communities across the country. His rise through the ranks of House Democratic leadership — from freshman member in 2015 to caucus vice chair in 2021 and caucus chair in 2023 — represents one of the more rapid leadership ascents in recent congressional history.

Aguilar's role in Democratic leadership has placed him at the center of major policy debates and given him a prominent platform in national media. His regular appearances on programs such as Bloomberg's Balance of Power and other news outlets reflect his position as a key spokesperson for the House Democratic caucus.

His selection for leadership roles has also been noted in the context of broader efforts to ensure diversity within the ranks of congressional leadership, as Aguilar is one of the few Latino members to hold a top-tier leadership position in either party's caucus in the House.