Suzette Valladares

Suzette Martinez Valladares is a Republican member of the California State Senate representing the 23rd District, which encompasses the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, and High Desert communities in northern Los Angeles County. ^[1,2] A third-generation Californian born in Sylmar in 1980, she grew up the granddaughter of a farmworker who labored alongside Cesar Chavez in the vineyards near Bakersfield, and was raised in a household that valued education, faith, and community service. ^[1,2] She made history as the first Latina Republican elected to the California State Assembly in more than a decade when she won AD-38 in 2020, ^[8] and advanced to the Senate in 2024, becoming the first Latina Republican to serve in both the Assembly and Senate. ^[10] With a 70% CFC Biblical Values Scorecard rating, Valladares has demonstrated consistent alignment with the California Family Council's core priorities on parental rights, religious liberty, education freedom, and fiscal responsibility. Her faith-informed approach to public service, her legislative focus on family-centered tax relief, and her advocacy for parental empowerment in education reflect the kind of values-driven governance that CFC's framework envisions.

Valladares grew up in the working-class neighborhoods of the San Fernando Valley, where her family embodied the immigrant ethic of sacrifice and self-reliance. ^[1] Her grandfather picked grapes near Bakersfield alongside Cesar Chavez, and her parents raised her to value education, faith, and community service. ^[2] She graduated from Sylmar High School in 1999, worked her way through College of the Canyons while holding a job at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and earned her associate degree in political science. She completed her bachelor's degree in Political Science from California State University, Northridge in 2011. ^[3] Before entering politics, she worked as a field representative for Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon, served as Hispanic Initiatives Director for the Republican National Committee, worked as a fundraiser for Autism Speaks, and founded Little Steps of Faith, a faith-based early childhood education consultancy she continues to run. ^[1,3,5]

Valladares first sought public office in 2014 as a candidate for State Assembly District 36. Her breakthrough came in 2020, when she won the Assembly District 38 seat with 76 percent of the vote, making her the first Latina Republican elected to the California State Assembly in more than a decade. ^[8] During her Assembly tenure, she became a founding member of the bipartisan Caucus on Foster Youth and championed legislation on school safety, parental notification, and tax relief. ^[1,9] In November 2024, she defeated Democrat Kipp Mueller to win the 23rd Senate District, becoming the first Latina Republican to serve in both the California Assembly and Senate. She was promptly named Senate Republican Caucus Whip by Leader Brian Jones. ^[10,11,14]

Sworn in on December 2, 2024, Valladares introduced the Home for Heroes Act (SB 23) on her first day, exempting the primary residences of 100-percent disabled veterans and their spouses from property taxes, and SB 17, exempting tip income from state income tax. ^[12] The Home for Heroes Act passed the Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation unanimously on a 5-0 bipartisan vote. ^[13] Her legislative agenda -- tax relief for veterans and working families, parental empowerment in education, public safety -- embodies the principle that governance should serve families at the most local level. Her 70% CFC Biblical Values Scorecard rating, her founding of a faith-based education consultancy, and her consistent support for parental rights position her as a natural ally of CFC's mission to strengthen families, defend religious liberty, and protect the vulnerable.

Valladares is married and a mother of two. ^[1] She resides in the Santa Clarita Valley. ^[1]