California 's 31st congressional district became more favorable for the Democratic Party as a result of redistricting following the 2010 Census . The Cook partisan voting index rates the district D +5 . In January 2012 , Aguilar announced he would run for the seat held by incumbent Republican Gary Miller . Although the top Democratic vote-getter , with 22.6 % of the vote , he finished behind Miller and Robert Dutton , the California State Senate Republican Leader . Because of California 's open primary , both Republicans advanced to the November general election . In March 2013 , Aguilar announced he would run again for election from California 's 31st congressional district . In the June 2014 primary , Aguilar finished second , qualifying for the November general election where he defeated Republican Paul Chabot with 51.4 % of the vote . Aguilar defeated Chabot again in the 2016 general election with 56.1 % of the vote . In the 2018 primaries , Aguilar ran against Democratic challenger Kaiser Ahmed and Sean Flynn , a Republican economist and aikido artist . Aguilar narrowly defeated Flynn with 45.96 % to 45.45 % percentages . Ahmed received 8.59 % of votes . In the general election , Aguilar garnered 58.7 % of the vote , with Flynn trailing behind at 41.3 % Aguilar 's time in Congress has focused on immigration , job creation , trade practices , gun safety , national security , LGBT issues , veteran affairs , drug prevention , student loan debt , and environmental protection . Aguilar has supported legislation to attract individuals in the cybersecurity field to join the military ; prevent discrimination against LGBT people by government contractors ; provide funding for homeless veterans ; and provide funding for research into opioid addiction . He has introduced the Grace Period Alleviation ( GPA ) Act , which would give college graduates an optional grace period before beginning to repay certain types of loans . With Senator Dianne Feinstein and Republican Congressman Paul Cook , Aguilar introduced legislation to protect the habitat along the Santa Ana River . Aguilar has vowed to fight the repeal of the Affordable Care Act , and to protect women 's reproductive rights . In addition , he has worked closely with law enforcement and local , state and federal officials and agencies to help communities recover costs incurred from the emergency response to the 2015 San Bernardino attack , which took place in Aguilar 's district , and helped secure additional funding for survivors of the attack
2015 San Bernardino attack
2015 San Bernardino attack
Pete Aguilar