Politics & Government

Redlands Mayor Aguilar Announces Second Congressional Run

Pete Aguilar may face off against Rep. Gary Miller, who defeated him and large field of candidates of the redrawn 31st Congressional District.

Redlands Mayor and Democrat Pete Aguilar announced today he would make a second run to represent the Inland Empire’s 31st Congressional District, which serves Redlands and Loma Linda.

The announcement was released today by Aguilar’s campaign. The candidate could possibly face current District Rep. Gary Miller, who defeated him and a large field of candidates in 2012.

“I’m running for Congress because we need a leader who will fight to create new jobs, stand up for middle-class families and protect our seniors," Aguilar said through a statement issued by his campaign.

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"Congressional Republicans have the wrong priorities and are more focused on partisan bickering than on getting things done. It’s time to stop playing political games and start working for the people of the Inland Empire,” Aguilar wrote.

Aguilar led the Democratic candidate field in 2012, but because he was not among the top two vote getters during the the June 5 primary election eliminating him from the general election ballot. Miller, a Republican who was displaced from his district by redistricting, defeated former California State Senator Bob Dutton.

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The following is the portion of the statement issued by Aguilar’s campaign office:

Aguilar said that jumpstarting the region’s economy, which has yet to fully recover from the nation’s economic downturn, would be one of his top priorities in Congress. To create new jobs, Aguilar has proposed providing tax incentives to small businesses, making investments in the region's infrastructure, and promoting alternative energy technologies.

Aguilar also expressed concern that Republican leaders have approved a budget that ends the Medicare guarantee for future retirees and could burden the middle class, while providing generous tax cuts for the wealthy. He pledged to protect vital programs like Social Security and Medicare as a Member of Congress.
"I'm going to stand up for the middle class and work to protect Social Security and Medicare,” Aguilar said.

Pete Aguilar has deep roots in the Inland Empire, the fourth generation in his family to call the region home. He earned scholarships and worked his way through college, graduating from the University of Redlands.

Today, Aguilar is a small business owner and Mayor of Redlands. As Mayor, Aguilar has built a track record of working across party lines to forge commonsense solutions and strengthen the local economy.

He worked to balance the city's budget and turned its multi-million dollar deficit into a surplus, improving the city’s credit rating. Aguilar also led efforts to improve the business climate in Redlands, invest in San Bernardino County's infrastructure, and create jobs.

Aguilar lives in Redlands with his wife Alisha and their two sons.


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