Supervisor Paloma Aguirre is a first-generation Mexican-American and long-time community organizer and public servant whose career has been shaped by her dedication to environmental justice and advocacy for working families. Born in San Francisco and raised between the U.S. and Mexico, she became the first in her family to graduate college and later earned a master’s degree in marine biodiversity from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution. Her early career included grassroots organizing in South San Diego, where she helped low-income families navigate issues like immigration and housing. She later worked on coastal conservation and cross-border pollution issues with groups like Wildcoast and the International Community Foundation.
Aguirre made history as the first Latina elected to both the Imperial Beach City Council and later as Mayor, where she championed efforts to clean up the Tijuana River Valley and pushed for federal investment to address public health crises caused by sewage pollution. In 2025, she was elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors representing District 1. She brings a strong voice for immigrant communities, environmental health, and housing equity, and has already made a mark by securing federal funds for wastewater infrastructure and taking on leadership as Chair Pro Tempore of the Board.
Commissioner Aguirre’s current term ends on May 2027.