Senator Pat Bates

Today is my last day as the Senator for the 36th Senate District.

For the past 8 years I had the privilege of serving the communities of south Orange and north San Diego Counties as your representative in the California State Senate.

It has been the honor of a lifetime to be your voice in Sacramento.

When I entered public service many years ago, I had no idea my journey would lead me to serving in public office. I started my career as a social worker out of a desire to help those less fortunate, to lift people out of poverty. Even though government has a responsibility to help its most vulnerable citizens, it must not rob them of their initiative and self-esteem in the process.

The need for citizen input is what led me to engage a group of concerned mothers to demand traffic safety improvements after tragedy struck our neighborhood. It is what drove me to serve as Laguna Niguel’s first mayor, and later serve on the Orange County Board of Supervisors – only the fourth woman elected to the board in the county’s history. And it is what guided me to return to Sacramento to represent south Orange and north San Diego Counties.

Since being elected to the Senate in 2014, I have endeavored to focus on the issues that mattered most to the residents of the 36th District.

I strived to make our communities safer by requiring a comprehensive risk assessment for all sexually violent inmates upon their release.

I championed California’s life sciences industry by providing small companies the resources to compete with global biopharmaceutical giants.

I fought for property tax relief for our veterans who risked their lives to safeguard our freedoms.

And I advocated for stronger protections for patients trying to overcome their dependence on alcohol and substance abuse.

Every bill I authored, every speech I gave, and every vote I cast was accompanied by the belief I was doing what was best for the district and for you, the voters.

The 36th Senate District enjoys some of the state’s most alluring beaches and coastline. It is surrounded by some of California’s innovative and groundbreaking industries. It is home to the most passionate, hard-working, and patriotic people.

I am blessed to call the 36th district my home.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you during my time in the State Legislature.

Thank you – for your support, for your encouragement, and for the trust you placed in me to be your elected representative.

God bless you. God bless the State of California, and God bless the United States of America.

Today is a special day of thanks and gratefulness – a time to count our blessings and remember all the people and reasons we have to be grateful. Happy Thanksgiving!

Interested in public policy? Applications for the 2023-24 Senate Fellowship program are open! The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members at the CA State Capitol in Sacramento for 11-months beginning in October 2023.

Senate Fellows are assigned to the personal or committee staff of a Senator & participate in academic seminars with Legislators, staff, journalists, and state government officials. They experience a broad range of activities conducted in Senate offices.

Responsibilities include researching public policy issues, helping develop legislative proposals, analyzing & staffing legislation, assisting w/ constituent inquiries & casework, participating in meetings as the Senator’s rep, writing press releases & speeches, and more.

To apply you must be 20 years of age & a graduate of a 4-year college/university by Sept. 1, 2023. There's no preferred major. Individuals w/ advanced degrees & those in mid-career are also encouraged to apply.

Visit the Capital Fellows website at

Capital Fellows Programs Capital Fellows are placed at some of the highest levels of California state government. Learn about the different fellowship opportunities.

🚨COMMUTER ALERT🚨: Caltrans Orange County District 12 will be scheduling the following closures for maintenance repairs. Please plan ahead.

Visit Caltrans website to learn more: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-12

Great news for the City of Vista, CA City Hall! The California Department of Housing & Community Development awarded the city $1.3 million to help fund its navigation centers, emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing. This is a great stride forward and I applaud Vista city officials for their hard work.

Today, join me in honoring all of our veterans. These men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Services deserve our sincere gratitude & appreciation. Thank you.

Today, we recognize and honor the men and women of the United States Marine Corps. As the State Senator for the 36th District, I am proud to represent Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Thank you for 247 years of faithful and courageous service.

Happy Birthday, Marines! Semper Fi!

Effective Wednesday, November 9 at 6 a.m. all evacuation orders will be lifted for Silverado Canyon, Williams Canyon and Modjeska Canyon in the Bond Fire burn area. Road closures will be lifted for all roadways in the Canyons at 6 a.m.

A map and more information about the order being lifted may be found at: www.ocsheriff.gov/bondfire.

Polling places close at 8PM, BUT if you’re in line to vote by closing, STAY IN LINE! You will still be able to vote.

To find your local polling station, visit your county registrar of voters:

ORANGE COUNTY: https://ocvote.gov/voting

SAN DIEGO COUNTY: https://www.sdvote.com/content/rov/en/VotingOptions.html

For more information, read the official press release 👇
https://www.ocgov.com/news/evacuation-order-mandatory-issued-bond-fire-burn-area-1

Effective Tuesday, November 8th at 4 a.m. an Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) will be issued for Silverado Canyon, Williams Canyon and Modjeska in the Bond Fire burn area due to possible debris flows along or near the burn scar. A map with detailed depictions of the areas under Evacuation Warning (voluntary) can be found at www.ocsheriff.gov/bondfire.

For more information, see our press release at: www.ocgov.com/news

Polls are OPEN! Today is the day to exercise your right to vote!

To find your local polling station, visit your county registrar of voters:

ORANGE COUNTY: https://ocvote.gov/voting

SAN DIEGO COUNTY: https://www.sdvote.com/content/rov/en/VotingOptions.html

The horrific shooting that took place less than three blocks from the State Capitol is a perfect example of why CDCR must be transparent on how it awards credits. Smiley Martin should not have been released early from prison. I join District Attorneys from across the state in demanding answers from CDCR officials. Until this happens, all pending action to release inmates via the nonviolent offender parole review should be suspended.