Pete Aguilar

In the 2018 primaries, Aguilar ran against Democratic challenger Kaiser Ahmed and Sean Flynn, a Republican economist and aikido artist. Aguilar narrowly defeated Flynn with 45.96% to 45.45% percentages. Ahmed received 8.59% of votes. In the general election, Aguilar garnered 58.7% of the vote, with Flynn trailing behind at 41.3%

Aguilar announced his candidacy for Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in September of 2018, but was defeated by Rep. Katherine Clark (MA-05) by a vote of 144-90.

Aguilar released a job-creation initiative for his district that includes cutting taxes on small businesses, investing in infrastructure, expanding job-training programs, expanding Pell Grants, increasing the minimum wage, and equal pay for women. He has introduced a number of bills into Congress focusing on small businesses, including legislation to provide tax credits to small businesses for on-the-job training expenses, tax credits for small business for full-time newly hired employees, legislation to make it easier for small businesses to repay loans, and legislation making it easier for small businesses to advertise job openings. Aguilar annually hosts a jobs fair that connects job-seekers with employers in his district. Additionally, in April of 2017, Pete started a quarterly "Job For a Day" tour where he works throughout the Inland Empire doing jobs such as train conducting for Metrolink, sorting Goodwill donations, and bagging groceries at local markets. The goal of the tour is to interact with community members directly and learn about the daily operations of local businesses.

In 2017, he introduced a bill that would provide active-duty service members and reservists access to training for commercial drivers’ licenses granted by the FAST Act. Aguilar authored the Active Duty Voluntary Acquisition of Necessary Credentials for Employment (ADVANCE) Act, which President Trump signed into law in 2018. Aguilar authored the OPPORTUNITY (Offering Promising Persons Occupations Relevant To Upholding National Interests For Years) Act, which Trump signed into law in 2018. The bill connects students of color with the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship program.

Aguilar has advocated for reforms to curb gun violence by closing loopholes that terrorists have used to obtain guns and banning assault weapons. Following the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Aguilar participated in the 2016 United States House of Representatives sit-in to show support for gun control legislation.

Aguilar's time in Congress has focused on immigration, job creation, trade practices, gun control, national security, LGBT issues, veteran affairs, drug prevention, student loan debt, and environmental protection. Aguilar has supported legislation to attract individuals in the cybersecurity field to join the military; prevent discrimination against LGBT people by government contractors; provide funding for homeless veterans; and provide funding for research into opioid addiction. He has introduced the Grace Period Alleviation (GPA) Act, which would give college graduates an optional grace period before beginning to repay certain types of loans. With Senator Dianne Feinstein and Republican Congressman Paul Cook, Aguilar introduced legislation to protect the habitat along the Santa Ana River. Aguilar has vowed to fight the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and to protect women's reproductive rights. In addition, he has worked closely with law enforcement and local, state and federal officials and agencies to help communities recover costs incurred from the emergency response to the 2015 San Bernardino attack, which took place in Aguilar's district, and helped secure additional funding for survivors of the attack.

During the Obama Administration, Aguilar supported expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for undocumented children and creating the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program. Aguilar introduced the Academic Success Centers and Education Networks for Dreamers (ASCEND) Act, which would establish grants for college and university programs and services to benefit undocumented students. While Aguilar voted in favor of legislation that would effectively halt the resettlement of refugees from Syria and Iraq to the United States, citing national security concerns, he subsequently criticized President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order as "xenophobic" and said it sent a message of "hate and bigotry to the rest of the world." Aguilar criticized President Trump and his staff for citing the 2015 San Bernardino attack in defending the President's executive order. In 2018, with Republican Congressman Will Hurd, Aguilar authored legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and addresses border protection concerns.

Congressman Aguilar's top contributors throughout his career have been JStreet PAC, League of Conservation Voters, Credit Union National Association, Matich Corporation, and New World Medical. Since 2011, he has not contributed personally to his own campaign, and relies mostly on individual contributions from community members. He has obtained nearly $5.3 million in contributions from individuals (63.86% of total donations). Top donations are generally from democrats, but also include lawyers and law firms, Leadership PACs, and labor unions. His total career campaign donations amount to $8.2 million.

California's 31st congressional district became more favorable for the Democratic Party as a result of redistricting following the 2010 Census. The Cook partisan voting index rates the district D+5. In January 2012, Aguilar announced he would run for the seat held by incumbent Republican Gary Miller. Although the top Democratic vote-getter, with 22.6% of the vote, he finished behind Miller and Robert Dutton, the California State Senate Republican Leader. Because of California's open primary, both Republicans advanced to the November general election. In March 2013, Aguilar announced he would run again for election from California's 31st congressional district. In the June 2014 primary, Aguilar finished second, qualifying for the November general election where he defeated Republican Paul Chabot with 51.4% of the vote. Aguilar defeated Chabot again in the 2016 general election with 56.1% of the vote.

Aguilar began his career in public service in 2001 when California Governor Gray Davis appointed him Deputy Director of the Inland Empire Regional Office of the Governor, eventually becoming the Interim Director. In 2006, Aguilar became the youngest member of the Redlands City Council in the city's 126-year history when five council members, Democrat and Republican, picked him out of 11 candidates to fill an open seat. He was elected a year later, his first election. His fellow council members appointed him mayor in 2010 and again in 2012. As Mayor, Aguilar was regarded for his professionalism, leadership during difficult financial times, balancing the city budget while building financial reserves, road improvements, government transparency, and fair treatment of municipal employees. Aguilar served as mayor and councilman until December 2014.

Aguilar was born in Fontana, California and grew up in a working-class family in San Bernardino, California. He graduated from the University of Redlands with degrees in Government and Business Administration. He has lived in Redlands, California since 1997, with his wife Alisha and together they have two sons.

Peter Rey Aguilar /ˈ æ ɡ j ə ˌ l ɑːr / (born June 19, 1979) is an American politician who is the U.S. Representative from California's 31st Congressional District. A Democrat, he served as Mayor of Redlands, California from 2010 to 2014 and as the President of the Inland Empire Division of the League of California Cities. Aguilar served on the Redlands City Council from 2006 until his election to Congress.