Steven Choi
- Assembly: 2016-2022
- Senate: 2024-present
News coverage of Steven Choi
Bio
Steven Choi, 81, 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
0
Of 1 bills:For this session year, this legislator initiated 1 bills: None passed, None failed, and 1 are currently pending.
Alignment Meter
See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.
Financials
This feature tracks three sources of money intended to help a candidate win election: 1-Money given directly to a candidate’s committee, 2-Money given to an Independent Expenditure Committee, 3-Money given to a political party. (NOTE: Senators are elected every four years. Twenty of the 40 Senators are on the ballot in even-numbered years, so Senators may do little or no fundraising in the first two-year session of their Senate term).
Election
This display shows money given directly to the incumbent’s campaign committee (NOTE: The industry categories for donors come from Open Secrets, a nonpartisan research organization for campaign finance. Some contributions are “uncoded,” meaning they have not been assigned to an industry sector. As a result, the total for each sector is also an estimate).
Agriculture
Candidate Contributions
Communications & Electronics
Construction
Energy & Natural Resources
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
General Business
Government Agencies/Education/Other
Health
Ideology/Single Issue
Labor
Lawyers & Lobbyists
Party
Transportation
Uncoded
Unitemized Contributions
Candidate Donations
Individuals, corporations, organizations and committees are limited to a maximum donation to candidates of $5,500 for the primary and for the general elections.
57.0% lower than the average legislators
Independent Expenditures
Money from Independent Expenditure Committees (IEC) for advertising or grassroots activity to help a candidate win office is unlimited, but it cannot be spent in coordination with the candidate or the candidate's campaign.
Grand Total for Elections
32.0% lower than the average legislators
This is a total of the money to help this legislator win office including direct donations to the candidate, money from Independent Expenditure Committees and money from political parties.
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 |
Personal 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
This legislator is ranked 65th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
Policy
Bills Authored by Steven Choi
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.
Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development
Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Senate Standing Committee on Local Government
Senate Standing Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review
Senate Standing Committee on Education
Interest Group Rankings
Hearings
Featured Comments
Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.
District
Previous Election:
Party Registration
Key
District
State
Census Data
Median age