Retired Pastor Challenges Incumbent for California’s 18th State Senate District Seat

Art Hodges, Steve Padilla, California State Senate District 18, 2026 Primary Election, housing affordability, Tijuana sewage crisis, Coachella Valley politics, Imperial County

California’s 18th State Senate District, one of 40 across the state, is currently a primary focus of the 2026 election cycle. The seat is held by Democrat Steve Padilla of Chula Vista, who is seeking a second term after being elected in 2022. He faces a challenge from Republican Art Hodges, a retired pastor who claims his background as a "doer" rather than a "talker" makes him the ideal candidate to address the district's persistent challenges.

The 18th District is a vast geographical territory. It encompasses all of Imperial County, the South County region of San Diego, and the eastern portions of both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Because of its location along the Mexico-United States border, the district’s representative must balance the needs of urban population centers with those of rural agricultural and desert communities.

Art Hodges, who retired from pastoring in July 2025, says he entered the race because of the economic difficulties facing the next generation. He pointed to his own three children, none of whom can afford to purchase a home in California, as evidence of a systemic failure. His concerns reflect broader state statistics: according to the California Association of Realtors, only 22 percent of California households could afford a median-priced single-family home in the first quarter of 2026. The income required to qualify for such a purchase has surged to approximately 204,800 dollars annually.

Racial disparities in housing affordability remain a significant factor in the district, which has a high Latino population. Recent data shows that while 29 percent of Asian households and 23 percent of White households can afford a median home, that number drops to just 11 percent for Hispanic and Latino households. Hodges argues that as the fourth largest economy in the world, California’s high relative poverty rate and lack of affordable housing are unconscionable.

In addition to the economy, Hodges is highlighting the decades-long sewage overflow problem originating from Tijuana. He noted that the pollution continues to shut down beaches in the southern part of the district. He criticized incumbent Steve Padilla as a 30-year career politician, alleging that leadership has failed to deliver results on the environmental crisis despite years of promises.

Senator Padilla has held the seat since January 2023. Known as a staunch progressive, his legislative focus has remained on voting rights, immigration reform, and climate action. Padilla’s platform emphasizes the transition to a green economy and protecting the rights of workers and immigrants within the border region.

While Hodges acknowledges his religious background, he maintains that his candidacy is based on foundational American principles rather than promoting a specific denomination. He argues that his mission is to restore the affordability and safety that he believes have eroded under the current state leadership.

Voters will have their say in the California primary on June 2, 2026, followed by the general election in November. Information regarding polling places and candidate statements is available through the NBC Palm Springs Decision 2026 portal.

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