Chris Ward is a Democratic member of the California State Assembly representing District 78 in San Diego County, which includes cities such as Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, and central San Diego. Born on August 3, 1976, he has served in the Assembly since 2020, following his tenure on the San Diego City Council for the 3rd District. Ward currently holds key positions including Speaker pro Tempore, Chair of the Assembly Housing Committee , Chair of the Select Committee on Biotechnology, Assembly designee on the California State Coastal Conservancy, and Vice Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. He is also a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus. Notable achievements include authoring San Diego’s landmark Equal Pay Ordinance as a City Councilmember; chairing the San Diego County Regional Task Force on the Homeless; advancing gun violence reduction legislation allowing lawsuits against negligent gun manufacturers; establishing California’s first community solar program; prohibiting discrimination in mixed-income housing; reducing access to ghost guns; and introducing bills on housing, climate resilience , consumer protections , water agency rates, and support for transitioning military service members.

Education and Political Experience

Ward earned a Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University and a Master’s in Public Policy and Urban Planning from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. His early career included serving as an environmental planner at EDAW and chief of staff to former Assemblymember and Senator Marty Block. Politically, he volunteered with the San Diego Community College District’s Citizens Oversight Committee, San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, San Diego LGBT Center, and Truman National Security Project. On the San Diego City Council, he chaired the Land Use and Housing Committee and the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. Elected to the Assembly in 2020 and reelected in 2022 and 2024 , Ward focuses on housing, homelessness, climate, state budget, water supply, and biotechnology issues. He resides in University Heights with his partner Thom, two children, and a cairn terrier.