Paul Seo (43) has built a distinguished career serving his community and country, transitioning from a West Point graduate and U.S. Army officer to a prosecutor and the current Mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes. His path and accomplishments uniquely qualify him for his current bid for the California State Assembly District 66 seat.
A Proven Leader with Deep Roots
Born into a Korean-American small business family, Seo became the first Asian-American city council member and mayor in Rancho Palos Verdes history. Since his unanimous appointment as mayor in December, he has been credited with stabilizing the city. His immediate leadership focused on addressing significant geological land movement issues and stabilizing critical utilities like gas, electricity, and internet services.
Seo’s commitment to public service was forged during his time in the military. After graduating from West Point in 2004, he served as an Army officer, including a deployment at the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the DMZ, eventually reaching the rank of Captain. After his service, he earned a law degree from Loyola Law School and spent seven years as an L.A. County prosecutor handling violent crimes. Since joining the California Attorney General’s office in 2021, he has specialized in prosecuting white-collar crimes, including political corruption and corporate fraud.
Platform: Public Safety and Economic Reform
Leveraging his extensive experience, Seo has prioritized three core pillars for the California State Assembly: eradicating corruption, strengthening public safety, and alleviating the cost of living. To improve public safety, he plans to increase the number of police, sheriff, and prosecutor personnel, while expanding investments in emergency response systems.
Addressing the homelessness crisis, he advocates for greater fiscal accountability to ensure budget allocations lead to tangible results, while streamlining administrative processes for existing programs. Regarding the cost of living, Seo aims to improve access to affordable healthcare and childcare, reduce food prices, and lower housing costs by cutting unnecessary regulatory red tape that hinders home construction. Furthermore, he supports policies to ease the burden on small businesses and ensure they can operate safely in crime-free environments.
In the upcoming November election, Seo faces fellow Democrat Sarah Dinh. He enters the final race with strong momentum, having secured 26.6% of the vote in the June primary—a 2% lead over Dinh. Seo has also out-fundraised his opponent, securing over $906,396 compared to Dinh’s $727,961. He is backed by a coalition of political heavyweights, including Senators Andy Kim and Adam Schiff, Representatives Dave Min and Judy Chu, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and the incumbent Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi.
