Avelino Valencia was first elected to the California State Assembly in November 2022 and reelected in November 2024 to represent the 68th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Orange.
Growing up in Orange County, Avelino attended local public schools from elementary through high school. He earned an associate degree from Fullerton College, a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University, and a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Avelino's drive to make a positive impact is rooted in his personal experiences and the values instilled in him by his parents, who built a successful small business after immigrating to the United States. After playing Division One college football and briefly pursuing a career in the NFL, Avelino turned to coaching at Fullerton College and worked as a special education instructional assistant in the Anaheim Elementary School District. These roles taught him invaluable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and leadership that he brings to his public service.
From 2020 to 2022, Avelino served as a Councilmember for the City of Anaheim. During his time on the council, he prioritized initiatives such as expediting the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, expanding access to mental health resources, developing new city parks, and establishing a small business assistance program. He also worked closely with local police, firefighters, and paramedics to enhance neighborhood safety and improve emergency response times.
Since joining the State Assembly, Avelino has been appointed Commissioner to the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission and serves on several key committees, including the Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight. Currently, he serves as Chair of the prestigious Assembly Banking and Finance committee. His legislative efforts focus on government accountability and transparency, reflecting his commitment to responsible governance.
Beyond his legislative work, Avelino is deeply committed to advocating for his community. He is dedicated to reducing homelessness, protecting public health, enhancing schools, restoring jobs, decreasing crime, combating climate change, expanding infrastructure, and improving the quality of life for the residents of the 68th Assembly District.
Avelino is married to his high school sweetheart, Dr. Monica Valencia, who is a local elementary school principal. Together, they remain active in their community, striving to create a better future for their neighbors and future generations.