Pete Aguilar represents a district in California's Inland Empire and serves in House Democratic leadership. Known for his pragmatic style, he often frames himself as a bridge between moderates and progressives inside the caucus.
A former Redlands city councilmember and mayor, Aguilar has focused on issues like small-business support, transportation and infrastructure, veterans' services, and immigration reform. His branding leans toward "get-things-done" politics rather than cable-news bomb-throwing.
In leadership, Aguilar has been involved in messaging on economic issues, defending democratic institutions, and negotiating around spending, debt-limit, and governance fights with the House GOP majority.
Moderate Democrat
Achievements
- Rose into House Democratic leadership as a relatively young member from the Inland Empire.
- Advocated for infrastructure, rail, and transportation funding benefiting Southern California communities.
- Supporter of immigration reform, Dreamers, and pathways to citizenship.
- Worked on small-business and veteran-focused legislation with some bipartisan backing.
- Seen as a potential future statewide or national figure within the party's moderate wing.
Controversies
- Criticized from the left for a relatively cautious economic and climate-policy profile compared to progressive colleagues.
- Targeted by Republicans as part of House Democratic leadership they portray as out of step with conservative districts.
- Scrutinized by some activists for accepting contributions from finance, defense, and health-care interests.
- Occasionally caught between progressive demands and leadership strategy in high-profile House votes.
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $620,903 | $610,903 | $10,000 |
| Wells Fargo | $51,300 | $41,300 | $10,000 |
| General Atomics | $44,600 | $34,600 | $10,000 |
| JStreetPAC | $39,350 | $35,850 | $3,500 |
| DaVita Inc | $36,800 | $26,800 | $10,000 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.