District 42 — California State Assembly

Raised in Southern California by a single mother who worked three jobs to support her three children, Greg Rodriguez had the values of personal responsibility and a strong work ethic instilled in him early on.

At 14, Greg and his Mother moved from Huntington Beach, California to Boise, Idaho where Greg’s Mom was the first woman sales person for General Electric Company in the Pacific Northwest. Greg attended public schools and worked to help support his family while becoming active in his community and volunteering for Republicans like Ronald Reagan. 

Greg worked his way through Gonzaga University by working full-time waiting tables.  Never one to sit on the sidelines, he also served every year on the Student Body Association and became only the third person in his family to earn a college degree.

After college Greg moved to Seattle for a job and became active in issues defending individual liberties.  He fought anti-hate and anti-women ballot initiatives and started his own company that advised equality organizations and Democratic candidates.

In 1996 Greg left his company and became a stay-at-home parent after adopting his nephew, a three-month premature baby facing a multitude of developmental challenges at birth and eventually being diagnosed with Autism. Four years later he adopted his second son, who at the age of four had been in five different foster homes.  

Becoming a father, his passion for education and disability issues grew as Greg experienced first-hand the shortcomings of services available for his two boys. Greg became active in forging solutions for children with developmental disabilities and served on the Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council.

After visiting the desert for over thirty years, Greg and his family permanently called the desert home in 2006. Greg immediately became active in the community focusing on education and local community activities.  He served as PTA President and Treasurer, School Site Council Chair, Chair of the School District’s Bond Oversight Committee, District parental advisory committees, member and President of the Foundation for the Palm Springs Unified School District, board member of the Desert AIDS Project, and as the First Vice Chair of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission.

In an effort to continue his passion for public service, Greg revived his business and worked on numerous local, state and national campaigns. In 2013 Greg became the District Director for Congressman Raul Ruiz where he spent two years developing the office and its staff to deliver unparalleled constituent services to veterans, seniors and the underserved in the 36th Congressional District.  He led a team that helped Congressman Ruiz recover over $2 million in benefits for veterans, seniors, and other constituents. 

Greg is married with two children and lives in the City of Palm Springs.