BIZPAC
Orange County Business Council’s Political Action Committee, BIZPAC, was established over 20 years ago as a means to support candidates and ballot measures, which promote and protect the public policy agenda of Orange County Business Council. Candidates endorsed include those running for city council, Orange County Board of Supervisors, state Senate and Assembly and Congress.
Endorsed Candidates
Announced Soon
Endorsed Candidates
Federal Endorsements
OCBC BIZPAC evaluates candidates through the lens of Orange County’s business community and the policies that support a strong regional economy. Key priorities include economic competitiveness, infrastructure, housing, workforce development and creating an environment where employers can invest, grow and create jobs.
Derek Tran
United States House of Representatives, 45th District
Congressman Derek Tran has worked to bring federal investment back to Orange County, advancing nearly $11 million for local infrastructure, housing and public safety projects in 2026. His work has included funding for the Orange County Housing Finance Trust as well as infrastructure improvements designed to support local businesses and economic activity in communities including Fullerton and Placentia.
Congressman Derek Tran has worked to bring federal investment back to Orange County, advancing nearly $11 million for local infrastructure, housing and public safety projects in 2026. His work has included funding for the Orange County Housing Finance Trust as well as infrastructure improvements designed to support local businesses and economic activity in communities including Fullerton and Placentia.
Young Kim
United States House of Representatives, 40th District
Congresswoman Young Kim has helped secure significant federal investment in Orange County’s transportation, water and workforce infrastructure. Her work has supported improvements to I-5 and SR-55, water reliability projects and career training infrastructure that prepares Orange County students for jobs in high-demand industries.
Congresswoman Young Kim has helped secure significant federal investment in Orange County’s transportation, water and workforce infrastructure. Her work has supported improvements to I-5 and SR-55, water reliability projects and career training infrastructure that prepares Orange County students for jobs in high-demand industries.
State Endorsements
California’s economic future depends on policies that make it possible to build housing and infrastructure, develop a skilled workforce, attract investment and keep employers and jobs in the state. OCBC BIZPAC considers these priorities when evaluating candidates for statewide and legislative office.
Laurie Davies
California State Assembly, 74th District
Assemblymember Laurie Davies brings a practical approach to issues affecting Orange and San Diego counties, including transportation, infrastructure, housing and workforce development. Her legislative work and leadership roles on the Assembly Transportation and Utilities and Energy committees give her an important voice on issues directly affecting Southern California’s economy.
Assemblymember Laurie Davies brings a practical approach to issues affecting Orange and San Diego counties, including transportation, infrastructure, housing and workforce development. Her legislative work and leadership roles on the Assembly Transportation and Utilities and Energy committees give her an important voice on issues directly affecting Southern California’s economy.
Kate Sanchez
California State Assembly, 71st District
Assemblymember Kate Sanchez has brought a focus on affordability, public safety and fiscal accountability to Sacramento. Her service as Vice Chair of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee gives her a significant role in discussions about California’s tax climate and the costs facing residents and employers.
Assemblymember Kate Sanchez has brought a focus on affordability, public safety and fiscal accountability to Sacramento. Her service as Vice Chair of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee gives her a significant role in discussions about California’s tax climate and the costs facing residents and employers.
David Penaloza
California State Assembly, 68th District
David Penaloza brings experience as both a Santa Ana City Councilmember and businessman. His stated priorities include lowering costs, expanding housing and creating economic opportunity, bringing a local government and business perspective to the challenges facing Orange County communities.
David Penaloza brings experience as both a Santa Ana City Councilmember and businessman. His stated priorities include lowering costs, expanding housing and creating economic opportunity, bringing a local government and business perspective to the challenges facing Orange County communities.
Tony Strickland
California State Assembly, 36th District
Senator Tony Strickland has consistently focused on affordability, government spending and reducing costs for Californians. His work in Sacramento brings attention to the impact that taxes, energy costs and the overall cost of doing business have on families, employers and California’s economic competitiveness.
Senator Tony Strickland has consistently focused on affordability, government spending and reducing costs for Californians. His work in Sacramento brings attention to the impact that taxes, energy costs and the overall cost of doing business have on families, employers and California’s economic competitiveness.
Avelino Valencia
California State Assembly, 34th District
Assemblymember Avelino Valencia represents communities at the heart of Orange County’s economy and is seeking to represent the 34th Senate District. His experience in local government and the State Assembly provides an understanding of how decisions in Sacramento affect Orange County communities, employers and economic opportunity.
Assemblymember Avelino Valencia represents communities at the heart of Orange County’s economy and is seeking to represent the 34th Senate District. His experience in local government and the State Assembly provides an understanding of how decisions in Sacramento affect Orange County communities, employers and economic opportunity.
Local Endorsements
Many of the decisions with the greatest impact on Orange County businesses are made at the local level. Land use, housing, infrastructure, permitting, public safety, education and fiscal policy all contribute to whether communities can attract investment and create economic opportunity.
Katrina Foley
Orange County Board of Supervisors, 5th District
Supervisor Katrina Foley has focused on infrastructure investment, job creation and support for small businesses while representing Orange County’s Fifth District. Her work on transportation, housing and infrastructure addresses issues that are fundamental to the region’s long-term economic strength.
Supervisor Katrina Foley has focused on infrastructure investment, job creation and support for small businesses while representing Orange County’s Fifth District. Her work on transportation, housing and infrastructure addresses issues that are fundamental to the region’s long-term economic strength.
Carlos Rodriguez
Yorba Linda City Council
Mayor Carlos Rodriguez brings local government experience and an understanding of the infrastructure and quality-of-life investments necessary to maintain a strong community. His service on the City Council provides continuity as Yorba Linda plans for future growth and investment.
Mayor Carlos Rodriguez brings local government experience and an understanding of the infrastructure and quality-of-life investments necessary to maintain a strong community. His service on the City Council provides continuity as Yorba Linda plans for future growth and investment.
Natalie Meeks
Anaheim City Council, 6th District
Councilmember Natalie Meeks brings both planning and City Council experience to Anaheim, including prior service as Chair of the Anaheim Planning Commission. Her work on the Council has included public safety, infrastructure and long-range strategic planning for residents, businesses and visitors.
Councilmember Natalie Meeks brings both planning and City Council experience to Anaheim, including prior service as Chair of the Anaheim Planning Commission. Her work on the Council has included public safety, infrastructure and long-range strategic planning for residents, businesses and visitors.
Carlos Leon
Anaheim City Council, 2nd District
Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Leon has focused on small businesses, youth entrepreneurship, housing, public safety and neighborhood revitalization in west Anaheim. These priorities recognize the important connection between strong neighborhoods, local businesses and economic opportunity.
Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Leon has focused on small businesses, youth entrepreneurship, housing, public safety and neighborhood revitalization in west Anaheim. These priorities recognize the important connection between strong neighborhoods, local businesses and economic opportunity.
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor of Santa Ana
Mayor Valerie Amezcua has made economic development, infrastructure and public safety central priorities in Santa Ana. During her tenure, the city experienced significant development activity and established a Same Day Express Permit Program designed to streamline improvements for residents and small businesses.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua has made economic development, infrastructure and public safety central priorities in Santa Ana. During her tenure, the city experienced significant development activity and established a Same Day Express Permit Program designed to streamline improvements for residents and small businesses.
Giovanni Chavez
Santa Ana City Council, 6th Ward
Giovanni Chavez brings legal experience and current service as the Ward 6 representative on Santa Ana’s Rental Housing Board. His campaign has identified affordability, public safety and the city’s fiscal challenges among the issues he wants to address on the City Council.
Giovanni Chavez brings legal experience and current service as the Ward 6 representative on Santa Ana’s Rental Housing Board. His campaign has identified affordability, public safety and the city’s fiscal challenges among the issues he wants to address on the City Council.
Blake Perez
Brea City Council
Blake Perez brings direct land use and development experience as Chair of the Brea Planning Commission. That experience provides familiarity with the planning, zoning and development decisions that shape Brea’s growth, economic vitality and quality of life.
Blake Perez brings direct land use and development experience as Chair of the Brea Planning Commission. That experience provides familiarity with the planning, zoning and development decisions that shape Brea’s growth, economic vitality and quality of life.
Tom Grable
Lake Forest City Council, 3rd District
Tom Grable brings more than four decades of professional experience in housing, land use planning and community development as well as service on the Lake Forest Planning Commission. His background provides firsthand knowledge of how housing, infrastructure, planning and fiscal responsibility intersect with a community’s economic health.
Tom Grable brings more than four decades of professional experience in housing, land use planning and community development as well as service on the Lake Forest Planning Commission. His background provides firsthand knowledge of how housing, infrastructure, planning and fiscal responsibility intersect with a community’s economic health.
Robyn Grant
Newport Beach City Council, 4th District
Councilmember Robyn Grant brings experience as a business owner and a professional background in real estate and environmental law. Her stated priorities include maintaining fiscal prosperity, delivering high-quality city services and supporting a robust business community in Newport Beach.
Councilmember Robyn Grant brings experience as a business owner and a professional background in real estate and environmental law. Her stated priorities include maintaining fiscal prosperity, delivering high-quality city services and supporting a robust business community in Newport Beach.
Chip Ahlswede
Orange Unified School District Board of Education, 5th Trustee Area
Chip Ahlswede brings decades of experience in business, housing and public affairs to his candidacy for the Orange Unified School District Board of Education. His professional work with Orange County’s multifamily housing industry and his focus on fiscal accountability provide a business perspective on preparing students and responsibly managing public resources.
Chip Ahlswede brings decades of experience in business, housing and public affairs to his candidacy for the Orange Unified School District Board of Education. His professional work with Orange County’s multifamily housing industry and his focus on fiscal accountability provide a business perspective on preparing students and responsibly managing public resources.
Endorsed Candidates
Check back soon for Endorsed Candidates
Contact
Amanda Walsh
Vice President, Government Affairs
Orange County Business Council
949.476.2242 ext. 215
awalsh@ocbc.org