Aerial view of the downtown Irvine, California skyline.

Steven Choi

Republican, State Senate

District 37, Irvine

Time in office:

Assembly: 2016-2022
Senate: 2024-present

Official Website

News coverage of Steven Choi

Bio

Steven Choi, 82, was an Assemblymember and Irvine mayor. He narrowly defeated Democratic Sen. Josh Newman in 2024 in one of the state’s most competitive races, despite Newman having raised vastly more money. Choi was born in South Korea and earned a bachelor’s degree from Kyung Hee University. He immigrated to the United States as a Peace Corps language instructor. He earned a doctorate in library and information science at the University of Pittsburgh, and he taught at several colleges including USC. He served on the Irvine Unified School Board and ran a tutoring business called Dr. Choi’s Academy. He and his wife have two children.

Leader Badges

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

Of 30 bills:

2 Passed

13 Failed

15 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 30 bills: 2 passed, 13 failed, and 15 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx%votes: xx

Influence

There are three categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.

Giver	Value	Date	Description
California Tribal Business Alliance	$53.22	Jul 14, 2021	Back to Session Bash
Live Good Inc	$50	Jul 27, 2021	Baby pillow
Live Good Inc	$50	Jul 27, 2021	Elephant pillow

Gifts

Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.

Gift Received Rating

#65/120

This legislator is ranked 65th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Steven Choi

SB 935

Local agency design-build projects: authorization.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Local Government

Passed

Local agency design-build projects: authorization.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Local Government

SB 971

Healthy Aging Community Partnership Program.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Health

In Progress

Healthy Aging Community Partnership Program.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Health

SB 1242

Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary

In Progress

Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary

SB 1021

Fishing and hunting: youth program.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water

In Progress

Fishing and hunting: youth program.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water

View All Bills

Committees

Most of the policy work in the state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees. Legislators also work on budget subcommittees. There are also “Special” and “Select” committees with a more narrow topic focus. And there are “Joint” committees with members from the Senate and Assembly.

Standing