Elected to the California State Assembly in 2012, Ian was the first millennial ever elected to the California State Legislature. In 2016, at age 30, he became the youngest Majority Leader in the history of the state. He has extensive expertise in public policy, political strategy, public affairs, fundraising and running and winning political campaigns.

A member of the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2020, Ian served as the Chair of the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media from 2012-2016 and Majority Leader from 2016-2020. He is the longest serving Majority Leader in the term-limited era.

During his time in the legislature, he co-chaired the Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus and the Legislative Millennial Caucus, and served as a member of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. During his tenure, he served on the Insurance, Appropriations, Elections and Redistricting, Banking and Finance, Privacy and Consumer Protection committees, among others.

Ian was appointed to the California Film Commission by Speaker Anthony Rendon. As an architect of California’s current film tax credit program to keep the entertainment industry in the state, Ian has extensive legislative and policy expertise in all issues impacting the industry in California.

California’s Blockchain Working Group was created through legislation authored by Ian.  As a member of the working group, he helped establish best uses, practices and regulation for blockchain technology in California and authored subsequent legislation expanding on the technology in the state.  Additionally, he authored legislation to establish state guidelines for the implementation and use of crypto currencies. Ian was named Legislator of the Year by TechNet in 2015 as well as the 2017 CompTIA California Tech Champion.

Over his eight-year tenure in the Legislature, Ian worked on a wide range of policy impacting different issue areas including: education, tech, entertainment, tourism, finance, housing, homelessness, long term care, insurance, health, among others. Additionally, he secured over $15 million in state funding for projects and programs in his Assembly District including funds for parks, parkway safety lighting, and for a skateboard park in the city La Puente that the city subsequently named after him. One of his proudest accomplishments was securing funding to re-open a previously closed superior courthouse in the city of Whittier to bring access to justice and much needed business to the local economy.

Ian received his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach where he majored in political science and minored in communication.

Community and Civic Involvement

• Speaker’s appointee to the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel.

• Advisory Council Member, Mission Bit: A nonprofit organization aimed at bringing STEM education opportunities to youth and communities of color.