David Penaloza

David Penaloza is a Democratic member of the Santa Ana City Council running for California State Assembly District 68 in the November 3, 2026 general election, where he faces fellow Democrat Jessie Lopez.[1][2] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he is a regulatory manager at Color Science, Inc. and the council's mayor pro tem.[3]

David Penaloza earned a high school diploma from Saddleback High School and a bachelor's degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in 2011.[2] In a 2026 Ballotpedia survey, he said he was raised in Santa Ana's Memorial Park neighborhood by Mexican immigrant parents and has a bachelor's degree in English.[3] He said he built a career at Color Science, Inc., where he is senior regulatory manager.[3]

Penaloza has served on the Santa Ana City Council since 2019, currently representing Ward 6, and he is not seeking re-election to it in 2026.[2] He said in the survey that he first ran in 2018, was elected to represent Ward 2, moved to Ward 6 after redistricting, was re-elected in 2022 and serves as mayor pro tem.[3] He also said he chairs the Toll Roads and was elected president of the Orange County Division of the League of California Cities in 2025.[3] Among his key messages, Penaloza cited the rising cost of living and said he would work to increase housing supply and homeownership opportunities and reduce wasteful government spending.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.