- Pete Aguilar (D-CA) represents California's 33rd Congressional District (Inland Empire) and serves as House Democratic Caucus Chair — the third-ranking position in House Democratic leadership.
- CA-33 is D+10 — covering San Bernardino County's Redlands and Fontana communities, it is one of the Inland Empire's more reliably Democratic districts with a large Latino electorate.
- As Caucus Chair, Aguilar is responsible for messaging, policy coordination, and member services for the House Democratic caucus — a critical role as Democrats work to recapture the House majority in 2026.
- He is a former Redlands mayor and city council member with a background in local water district management — his local government experience shapes his focus on water infrastructure, housing, and transportation in Southern California.
Biography
Peter Rey Aguilar was born on June 19, 1979, in Fontana, California — in the heart of the Inland Empire, the sprawling exurban region east of Los Angeles that has undergone dramatic demographic transformation over the past three decades from a largely white working-class area to a majority-minority community with a large and growing Latino population. His biography is deeply rooted in that community: he attended the University of Redlands, worked in local government communications, and built a political career through local office before reaching Congress.
Aguilar served briefly as Mayor of Redlands — he was elected mayor in 2014 but almost immediately began his congressional campaign, serving in both roles briefly — before winning election to Congress in November 2014. His congressional district, initially the 31st and subsequently renumbered after redistricting, covers the Inland Empire communities of Redlands, Fontana, Rialto, and surrounding areas. He flipped the seat from Republican Gary Miller, who had retired, in 2014 and has won re-election comfortably since as the district has grown more Democratic.
Aguilar's rise in House leadership was rapid. He served on the House Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful committee assignments, and was elected to House Democratic leadership in 2022, when he was chosen as Democratic Caucus Chair to serve under Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. His election to the third-ranking position in Democratic leadership made him one of the most prominent Latino political figures in the country and positioned him as a potential future leader of the Democratic Party at the national level. He sits on the January 6 Select Committee and played a visible role in its public hearings.
Key Policy Positions
Immigration & Latino Community
immigration polling is Aguilar's most personally resonant issue and one of his most active legislative areas. He represents a district with a large Latino population, many of whom have family members who are undocumented or who arrived through DACA. He has consistently supported comprehensive immigration polling including a pathway to citizenship, DREAM Act legislation, and DACA protection. He has been sharply critical of the Trump administration's enforcement posture, family separation policies, and restrictions on asylum. His leadership position makes him a prominent Democratic voice on immigration at a moment when the issue is central to American political debate.
Appropriations & Economic Policy
Aguilar's seat on the House Appropriations Committee — one of the most coveted in Congress — has given him direct influence over federal spending priorities. He has used this position to advocate for infrastructure investment in the Inland Empire, water projects critical to Southern California, and funding for community health centers. He supported the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act as major investments in working-class communities like his own district. He has been a consistent voice for extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and expanding Medicaid.
Leadership & 2026 Strategy
As Caucus Chair, Aguilar's primary role is as a strategist and communicator for House Democrats rather than a legislator. He is responsible for maintaining caucus cohesion, developing messaging on Republican governance, and supporting Democratic candidates in competitive House races. His 2026 focus is on helping Democrats reclaim the House majority in what is historically a favorable midterm environment for the party out of power in a presidential term. His Latino identity and California base make him well-positioned to mobilize key Democratic constituencies, and his rising profile positions him for continued advancement in the party.
House Democratic Leadership Structure
| Position | Name | State |
|---|---|---|
| Minority Leader | Hakeem Jeffries | New York |
| Minority Whip | Katherine Clark | Massachusetts |
| Caucus Chair | Pete Aguilar | California This profile |
2026 House Democrats Strategy
As House Democratic Caucus Chair — the third-ranking Democrat in House leadership — Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33) is one of the key architects of the Democratic strategy to retake the House majority in the 2026 midterms. Democrats need a net gain of just a few seats to flip the chamber, and the generic ballot currently shows a significant Democratic advantage. Aguilar's California base, fundraising network, and relationships across the caucus make him a central figure in candidate recruitment, message discipline, and vote operations. As Caucus Chair, he runs the weekly messaging meetings and coordinates with DCCC on targeting. His rise in leadership — from freshman member to the No. 3 Democratic leadership position — reflects both his political skills and the growing influence of Hispanic members within the Democratic caucus.
