Mark Gonzalez (42), a California State Assemblymember, is a prominent pro-Korea politician who has worked closely with the Korean-American community to take the lead in resolving local issues. Since his initial election in 2024, he has achieved results in legislative activities aimed at strengthening public safety, as well as supporting small businesses, senior welfare, and protecting immigrant rights.
Particularly this year, he led the governor’s signature on ‘AB 1941,’ the Organized Metal Theft Prevention Act, aimed at eradicating copper wire theft, which has been rampant across Los Angeles and the rest of California.
Another key authored bill that received the governor’s signature, ‘AB 2418,’ focuses on streamlining commercial facility permit procedures. This is expected to alleviate vacancy issues in local commercial districts, including Koreatown, and significantly reduce the operational burdens on small business owners.
Cooperation with the Korean-American community has also continued steadily. He partnered with the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles to host Korean-language immigrant rights education, and he mediated discussions with related organizations to resume the free lunch program at the Koreatown Senior & Community Center, which had been suspended this year due to budget issues.
In addition, he has poured his dedication into looking after Korean-American community issues, such as pushing for a resolution (ACR 118) designating January 13 of every year as California ‘Korean-American Day,’ and cooperating with relevant organizations to restore the vandalized Dosan Ahn Chang-ho memorial sign.
Gonzalez previously served as the chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. He spent about 10 years working in the district office of his predecessor, former California State Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, handling constituent grievances and local issues on the ground. Based on this experience, he serves as the California Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair despite being a freshman, and is actively engaged across major standing committees such as Budget, Fiscal Review, Health, and Public Safety, which makes it time to give him renewed strength for re-election.
