David Penaloza
Democratic · CA · Santa Ana City Councilmember, Ward 6 (Mayor Pro Tem)
David Penaloza is a Democratic candidate for California's 68th State Assembly District (Santa Ana) in the 2026 general election, an open-seat top-two contest against fellow Democrat Jessie Lopez. He has served on the Santa Ana City Council (Ward 6) since 2018 and was selected Mayor Pro Tem in 2026.
Where David Penaloza stands, based on their records
Supports
Housing Affordability (1 record)
Opposes
Government Efficiency (1 record)
Campaign Finance Information — Member of the State Assembly, District 68
Campaign Finance Information · Member of the State Assembly, District 68 · November 3, 2026
Data last updated July 24, 2026
- Raised
- $565,665
Top disclosed occupations of direct donors
- Attorney$13,250
- Retired$13,225
- Assemblymember$8,000
- CEO$7,500
- President$7,250
Spending by outside groups
Outside groups, such as PACs and super PACs, spend this money on the race. The candidate's campaign does not spend it, and none of it goes to the candidate.
Outside groups spent $3,426,765 to support this candidate.
Donations to groups supporting this candidate, by donor industry
- Technology$45,000,000
Groups that spent money supporting this candidate (5)
- California Leads$1,216,962
Big Tech money: funded almost entirely by Meta and Google. · transparencyusa.org
- GROW CALIFORNIA$916,932
Crypto money: funded almost entirely by two billionaires, Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen and investor Tim Draper. · transparencyusa.org · sfexaminer.com
- Focused on Affordability, supporting David Penaloza for Assembly 2026 Fighting for Lower Prices, a coalition of California employers, insurance, energy and health care providers$239,450
Employer money: funded by business groups, mainly the state Chamber of Commerce's campaign fund. · transparencyusa.org
- Advance California, Sponsored by California Apartment Association$185,563
Landlord money: funded almost entirely by the California Apartment Association, the state's biggest landlord group. · transparencyusa.org
- JOBSPAC, A BI-PARTISAN COALITION OF CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS, SPONSORED BY THE CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE$114,708
The campaign fund of the California Chamber of Commerce — employer money. · calchamber.com
Outside groups spent $539,787 to oppose this candidate.
Groups that spent money opposing this candidate (1)
- Working People United sponsored by SEIU California State Council$539,787
Union money: sponsored by SEIU's California council and paid for by SEIU locals and the California Nurses Association. · transparencyusa.org
Industry amounts are donations to these groups, sorted by each donor's industry. They are not what the groups spent on this candidate.
Source: California Secretary of State · 2026 cycle · campaignfinance.cdn.sos.ca.gov
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 oppose
Voted No on Santa Ana Ordinance NS-3097, which dissolved five city commissions and reallocated their powers.
July 7, 2026Opposes Government Efficiency
Source: cc-publicdocs.santa-ana.org · researched August 21, 2026
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support
David Penaloza voted with the Santa Ana City Council on April 21, 2026 to authorize a request for proposals for affordable-housing development.
April 21, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: cc-publicdocs.santa-ana.org · researched August 7, 2026
Track record — General
General · 1 record
Has served on the Santa Ana City Council representing Ward 6 since being elected in 2018. Was re-elected in 2022. Was selected as Mayor Pro Tem in January 2026.
November 6, 2018
Source: santa-ana.gov · researched July 17, 2026
Race David Penaloza is in:
- Member of the State Assembly, District 68 · November 3, 2026 · Assembly District 68; California
Profile last researched July 17, 2026.