California Files

People › State Senate

Stephen C Padilla

Senator, State Senate

Running in 2026: State Senate District 18 (June 2) “California State Senator” · State Senate District 18 (November 3) “California State Senator”

In the Legislature

Senate District 18 D · 3,677 floor votes this session, 7% not voting

Committees they vote in: Health · Housing · Governmental Organization · Environmental Quality · Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection · Insurance · Agriculture

Bills they lead: 59 (27 became law) — AB 1098, SB 1046, SB 1119, SB 1223, SB 1247, SB 243, SB 302, SB 420, SB 461, SB 534, SB 558, SB 57 …

Bills their donors lobbied on

Bills they voted on (latest floor vote) that were lobbied by employers that gave to their campaign, reported spending on them, or paid at their request: the largest first. A lobbying report names the bill, not the side the employer took.

BillTheir voteEmployers that lobbied on it, and what they gave
AB 221
Tribal Nation Grant Fund.
Aye
2025-09-03
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation ($10,500 campaign); BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($3,500 campaign, $5,000 behested); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign) and 7 more
AB 831
Gambling: operation of a contest or sweepstakes.
Aye
2025-09-08
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($3,500 campaign, $5,000 behested); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign) and 7 more
AB 52
Farmer equity: advisory committees.
Not voting
2026-08-20
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($3,500 campaign, $5,000 behested); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign) and 3 more
AB 1004
Tribal financial information: public records: exemption.
Aye
2025-09-03
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SOBOBA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS ($5,900 campaign) and 3 more
AB 1378
Child welfare services: prevention services: Indian tribes.
Aye
2025-09-08
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SOBOBA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS ($5,900 campaign) and 3 more
AB 1485
Property tax: documentary transfer tax: exemptions: Native American tribes.
Aye
2025-09-11
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SOBOBA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS ($5,900 campaign) and 3 more
SB 4
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program.
Aye
2025-06-02
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign) and 2 more
AB 1581
Pupils: data reporting: American Indian and Alaska Native pupils.
Aye
2026-08-27
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SOBOBA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS ($5,900 campaign) and 1 more
ACR 39
Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month.
Aye
2025-04-24
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation ($10,500 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign)
AB 130
Housing.
Aye
2025-06-30
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($3,500 campaign, $5,000 behested); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign)
SB 222
Residential heat pump water heater or heat pump HVAC systems.
Aye
2026-08-25
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); AF GROUP ($1,500 campaign)
AB 1369
Pupil rights: school graduation ceremonies and related events: adornments.
Aye
2025-09-02
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign)
SB 891
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Justice Program.
Aye
2026-08-28
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($5,900 campaign)
AB 1592
California Indian Heritage Center support organization.
Aye
2026-08-20
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($5,900 campaign)
AB 31
Peace officers: tribal police.
Aye
2026-08-24
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SCOTTS VALLEY BAND OF POMO INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign)
AB 977
California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001: California State University: burial sites: human remains.
Aye
2025-08-25
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign); MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($5,900 campaign)
AB 697
Protected species: authorized take: State Route 37 project.
Aye
2025-09-04
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign)
AB 1824
Indian children: guardianship or conservatorship proceedings.
Aye
2026-08-24
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); SOBOBA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS ($5,900 campaign); MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($5,900 campaign)
AB 1751
Missing Middle Townhome Ownership Act.
Aye
2026-08-26
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign)
SB 864
Tribal gaming: compact ratification.
Aye
2025-09-11
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation ($10,500 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign)
SB 1105
Law enforcement.
Aye
2026-08-27
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation ($10,500 campaign); Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign)
AB 379
Crimes: prostitution.
Aye
2025-07-14
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign); EQUALITY CALIFORNIA ($83 gifts)
SB 49
Tribal gaming: compact and amendment ratification.
Aye
2025-03-17
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign)
SB 130
Housing.
Aye
2025-03-20
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign)
SB 451
Gambling.
Aye
2025-09-13
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign)
SB 1326
California Environmental Quality Act: tribal cultural resources: mitigation measures.
Not voting
2026-05-22
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians ($5,900 campaign)
AB 1769
Student transfer: tribal colleges.
Aye
2026-08-27
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($5,900 campaign)
AB 817
Cold storage facilities.
Aye
2026-08-31
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TEJON INDIAN TRIBE ($5,900 campaign)
AB 1841
State holidays: Native American Day.
Aye
2026-08-31
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($5,900 campaign)
AB 2187
Public contracts: contracts for services.
Aye
2026-08-20
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation ($7,000 campaign); SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS ($6,000 campaign); TWENTY-NINE PALMS BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($5,500 campaign)

Form 700 statements

StatementFiledWhat it lists
2025 Annual
Senator, State Senate
2026-03-0214 gifts, 1 travel
2024 Annual
Senator, State Senate
2025-03-0323 gifts

Findings

Worth a look Lobbying · the statement

Lobbying reports name $82.90 in gifts to them in 2024 from 1 source this statement doesn't list

Lobbyist employers' reports to the Secretary of State (Cal-Access) list activity expenses that benefited them in 2024, $50 or more from each of these sources, none named among the statement's gifts or travel: EQUALITY CALIFORNIA $82.90 (food / beverages).

What to check
  • Whether they attended or accepted it: the report is the lobbyist employer's account.
  • What Schedule D doesn't require (Form 700 instructions): gifts returned within 30 days; free admission and food at an event where they made a speech, from its organizer; up to two tickets to a campaign or 501(c)(3) fundraiser from the organization holding it; informational material; plaques worth less than $250.
  • Whether it's on the statement under another name.
  • That the report's beneficiary is this person (matched by name and office).
EQUALITY CALIFORNIA $82.90
Rule: Lobbying gifts not on the statement
“A gift is reportable if its fair market value is $50 or more. In addition, multiple gifts totaling $50 or more received during the reporting period from a single source must be reported.”Form 700 (2025/2026), Instructions – Schedule D ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works

Context Behested payments

Of $63,000 paid at their request since 2024: 1 source ($5,000) also gave $3,500 to their campaign; 1 source ($5,000) is a registered lobbyist employer

Payments made at their request (Form 803) from sources that also appear in Cal-Access: Barona Band of Mission Indians ($5,000 to Enrique Camarena, Jr. High School; gave $3,500 to the campaign; lobbyist employer).

What to check
  • Context: behested payments are legal and public; this puts two public records side by side.
  • Whether the official later acted on matters involving these sources.
  • The full Form 803 reports (available from the FPPC on request).
Rule: Behested payments from donors or lobbyist employers
“Unlike gifts and contributions, there are no limits on the amount of payments an official may behest.”FPPC, Reporting Behested Payments – Form 803 ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works

Context Lobbying

51 of their donors and benefactors lobbied on 355 bills they voted on

Employers that lobbied on bills they voted on (as their lobbying reports name the bills) and that gave $176,927 to their campaign, $1,383 in gifts reported by lobbying interests, $5,000 in payments at their request. Largest: CALIFORNIA STATE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ($11,800); Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation ($10,500); TURO ($9,800); Anthropic PBC ($8,900); BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS ($8,500). They voted aye on 346 of the 355.

What to check
  • Context: lobbying a bill and funding a member are both legal and public.
  • A report names the bills an employer lobbied on, not which side it took: read the bill and the employer's position before drawing anything from a vote.
  • The bills on their page, sorted by how much these interests gave.
Rule: Bills their donors lobbied on

How this rule works

Context Travel payments · the statement

Lists $11,643.41 in travel paid by others (1 payment)

Largest: Norway ($11,643.41, CA Foundation on the Environment & Economy). 1 of 1 are listed as gifts.

What to check
  • Who paid, and for what: speeches, conferences and nonprofit-paid travel are treated differently (Schedule E instructions).
  • Whether the paying organizations have business before the office.

Travel: CA Foundation on the Environment & Economy $11,643 p.4

Rule: Travel paid by others
“Travel payments from third parties (not your employer).”Form 700 (2025/2026), Types of reportable interests ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how this rule works

Context Campaign money · the statement

1 source on this statement also gave to their campaign

Listed here and among the campaign's contributors in Cal-Access: Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians ($5,900).

What to check
  • Context: a donor who is also an employer, client or gift-giver is public on both records.
  • Whether the official later acted on matters involving them (votes, contracts, recusals).

Gifts: Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians p.3

Rule: Campaign donors also on the statement

How this rule works

Behested payments

What Stephen C Padilla reported others paying at their request (FPPC Form 803) since 2024: $63,000 in 10 payments to 10 recipients. Officials report a source that pays $5,000 or more in a year; there is no limit.

Largest recipients: The Living Desert $15,000 · Joaquin Andres Gutierrez $6,500 · Joselen Xitlai Contreras $6,500 · Jazzmine Reyes $5,000 · Aribell Ariza $5,000

Paid byTo, forAmount
Bighorn Cares
Palm Desert
The Living Desert · Reduced admission fees/discounted educational programs for individuals/families who rely on
Charitable · 2025-01-22
$15,000
California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation
Los Angeles
Joaquin Andres Gutierrez · Academic Scholarship
Charitable · 2024-07-23
$6,500
California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation
Los Angeles
Joselen Xitlai Contreras · Academic Scholarship
Charitable · 2024-07-23
$6,500
California LGBTQ Foundation
Sacramento
Jazzmine Reyes · scholarship
Charitable · 2024-10-09
$5,000
California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation
Long Beach
Aribell Ariza · Academic Scholarship
Charitable · 2025-07-15
$5,000
California LGBTQ Foundation
Sacramento
Derrick Herrera · academic scholarship
Charitable · 2025-08-22
$5,000
Barona Band of Mission Indians
Lakeside · registered lobbyist employer · campaign donor
Enrique Camarena, Jr. High School · Barona Education Grant
Charitable · 2025-09-04
$5,000
California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation
Long Beach
Pearl Gayn · Academic Scholarship
Charitable · 2026-07-22
$5,000
California LGBTQ Foundation
Sacramento
Ochoa, Francisco · scholarship
Charitable · 2026-08-27
$5,000
Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club (AAA)
Santa Ana
Logan Heights Community Development Corporation · Turkey Distribution Event
Charitable · 2026-07-27
$5,000

From the FPPC's Form 803 data (search and download). “Campaign donor” links to a donor who gave to two or more 2026 state candidates.

Reported by lobbying interests

What lobbyist employers, lobbyists and lobbying firms told the Secretary of State they spent on Stephen C Padilla since 2024: $1,737 across 10 items from 7 sources. Each amount is their share as the report gives it. Matched by name and office.

Reported byWhat, whenTo them
RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
$590 in all
FOOD AND BEVERAGE at KATSUYA @ LA LIVE · 2024-02-04 · report$182
GRAMMY TICKET at RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA · 2024-02-04 · report$102
FOOD AND BEVERAGE at KIMPTON LA PEER HOTEL · 2024-02-03 · report$90
FOOD AND BEVERAGE at MEAT ON OCEAN · 2024-02-03 · report$216
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
$575 in all
FOOD, BEVERAGES AND LODGING at YAAMAVA' RESORT & CASINO · 2024-03-01 · report$575.25
FanDuel Group, Inc
$205 in all
Food, Beverage & Entertainment at California Tribal Business Association · 2025-01-16 · report$204.84
DRAFTKINGS, INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES
$135 in all
Food, Beverage & Entertainment at California Tribal Business Association · 2025-01-16 · report$135.19
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOICE ASSOCIATION
$113 in all
Dinner at Hyatt Regency Sacramento · 2026-05-13 · report$112.67
EQUALITY CALIFORNIA
$83 in all
FOOD / BEVERAGES at GOLDEN 1 CENTER · 2024-02-28 · report$82.90
CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$36 in all
Dinner at Prelude Kitchen & Bar · 2025-03-24 · report$36

Reports on Cal-Access may ask you to pass a security check first.

Campaign money: State Senate District 18

$890,217itemized, 444 contributions
$0from the candidate (incl. loans)

Plus $35,100 in 8 contributions reported within 24 hours since their latest full report, which ends 2026-09-19: not yet in the totals above (they'll move into them, not be added twice, when the next full report comes in).

California Real Estate PAC (CREPAC) - California Association of Realtors $11,800 2026-09-28 · United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals PAC (UNAC PAC) $4,500 2026-10-07 · California Dental Association PAC (CDA PAC) $4,400 2026-10-07 · Google LLC and Affiliated Entities(Rob Biederman) $3,500 2026-09-25 · The Hartford Insurance Group Inc. PAC (AKA The Hartford Advocates Fund) (FED PAC ID#C00168864) $3,500 2026-09-25 · AT&T Services, Inc. and its Affiliates $2,500 2026-09-30 · Calpine Corporation $2,500 2026-10-05 · Edison International and Affiliated Entities $2,400 2026-09-30

Where their outside money comes from

IndividualsBusinessesTrade, professional and issue groupsLabor unionsTribal governmentsPolitical partiesOther candidates and officeholders

Compare with all state candidates →

How it was spent: $591,552

Contributions to others$238,455
Consultants$157,055
Other (described)$67,620
Fundraising events$36,662
Legal and accounting$22,714
Civic donations$15,065
Meetings and appearances$12,848
Candidate travel and meals$7,627
Campaign paraphernalia, misc.$7,418
Internet and email$6,826

Largest payees: California Democratic Party $148,800 Contributions to others · LAC Inc $145,741 Staff travel and meals · Card Services Center $66,008 Candidate travel and meals · Amplify Campaigns $52,682 Internet and email · San Diego County Democratic Party $25,000 Contributions to others · River City Business Services $22,714 Legal and accounting · Marriott International, Inc. Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center $19,763 Candidate travel and meals · Equality California $15,000 Meetings and appearances

Payments on their full reports (Form 460 Schedule E) covering 2025–2026, by the FPPC's expense codes; a consultant's payments to others (ads, mail) show under the consultant.

Top contributorsTypeTotal
United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund
Sacramento
Small contributor cmte$17,700
California State Association of Electrical Workers
San Francisco
Small contributor cmte$11,800
California Teachers Association/Association for Better Citizenship
Burlingame
Small contributor cmte$11,800
Californians for Responsible Artificial Intelligence, Sponsored by Encode AI Corporation
San Rafael
Committee$11,800
Peace Officers Research Association of California PAC (PORAC PAC)
Sacramento
Small contributor cmte$11,800
SEIU California State Council Small Contributor Committee
Sacramento
Small contributor cmte$11,800
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
El Cajon
Business/other$10,500
Turo, Inc.
San Francisco
Business/other$9,800
Association of California Life & Health Insurance Companies PAC (ACLHIC PAC)
Sausalito
Committee$9,500
Personal Insurance Federation of CA Agents & Employees PAC
Sacramento
Committee$9,231.94
California Professional Firefighters Political Action Committee
Sacramento
Small contributor cmte$9,000
Anthropic PBC
San Francisco
Business/other$8,900
LAC Inc
Sacramento
Business/other$8,865
California Nurses Association Political Action Committee (CNA-PAC)
Sacramento
Small contributor cmte$8,500
California Statewide Law Enforcement Assoc PAC
Sacramento
Committee$8,500

Committees: Steve Padilla for State Senate 2026, Steve Padilla for State Senate 2022, Working Families First - Senator Steve Padilla Ballot Measure Committee. From the Secretary of State's Cal-Access export; reports covering 2025–2026.

Their donors also gave to

Their largest donors who also funded other 2026 state candidates.

DonorTo themCandidates fundedBy party
United Domestic Workers of America Action Fund
Labor union · Sacramento
$17,70052
California State Association of Electrical Workers
Labor union · San Francisco · registered lobbyist employer
$11,80030
SEIU California State Council Small Contributor Committee
Labor union · Sacramento
$11,80042
California Teachers Association/Association for Better Citizenship
Labor union · Burlingame
$11,80043
Building a Stronger Future for California PAC, sponsored by Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
Labor union · Sacramento
$11,80041
Californians for Responsible Artificial Intelligence, Sponsored by Encode AI Corporation
Group or PAC · San Rafael
$11,8006
Peace Officers Research Association of California PAC (PORAC PAC)
Labor union · Sacramento
$11,80032
Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Tribal government · El Cajon · registered lobbyist employer
$10,50040
Turo, Inc.
Business · San Francisco · registered lobbyist employer
$9,80038
Association of California Life & Health Insurance Companies PAC (ACLHIC PAC)
Group or PAC · Sausalito
$9,50020
Personal Insurance Federation of CA Agents & Employees PAC
Labor union · Sacramento
$9,23277
California Professional Firefighters Political Action Committee
Labor union · Sacramento
$9,00069
Anthropic PBC
Business · San Francisco · registered lobbyist employer
$8,90039
LAC, Inc.
Business · Sacramento
$8,8652
California Nurses Association Political Action Committee (CNA-PAC)
Labor union · Sacramento
$8,50033