Felipe Fuentes

Felipe Fuentes (born May 25, 1971) is a Democratic politician from the San Fernando Valley in the U.S. state of California. He won election to the California State Assembly for the 39th district on a May 15 special election. He slightly exceeded the 50%+1 margin needed to avoid a runoff. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Fuentes served as Chief of Staff to then Los Angeles City Councilman Alex Padilla.

Biography

Fuentes graduated from UCLA where he received his bachelors degree and Pepperdine University where he received his masters in business administration (MBA).

Fuentes began his career promoting immigrant and children’s rights through the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law. In 1999, Fuentes began serving the 7th council district as a field deputy, working with the grassroots groups in the district. In 2001, he worked on then City Attorney James Hahn's campaign for Mayor. After Hahn's election, he was appointed Deputy Mayor of the San Fernando Valley and Special Projects. Fuentes managed the Mayor’s Office of the Neighborhood Advocate, Volunteer Corps, Constituent Services, and the Targeted Neighborhood Initiative. He was the Mayor’s liaison to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, Animal Services, and the Department of Building & Safety.

As Chief of Staff to Los Angeles City Councilman Alex Padilla, Fuentes helped establish a pilot for a “Safe Routes to Schools” program. He worked to help bring the first new police station to the San Fernando Valley in twenty-five years, and to create effective anti-gang programs.

In the Assembly, Fuentes was the sponsor of AB 2076 which will prohibit state agencies and local governments in California from using the federal E-Verify system to determine if their employees are legally eligible for work.

Felipe has lived in Pacoima and Arleta and now resides in Sylmar with his wife, Lena Wu-Fuentes, owner of a Los Angeles based children’s apparel company. Lena and Felipe are proud parents to 21 month old, Iliana Flor Fuentes.