Moulton Niguel Water District · 2026
Water Policy Advisor
Patricia "Pat" Bates
Three decades of proven Orange County leadership. Now, she's fighting to keep our water safe, reliable, and affordable.
Three decades of proven Orange County leadership. Now, she's fighting to keep our water safe, reliable, and affordable.
The values guiding Pat's approach to the MNWD board — practical priorities focused on the things that matter most to ratepayers.
Pat helped incorporate Laguna Niguel and served as its first mayor, then represented every Moulton Niguel community as a Supervisor, Assemblywoman and State Senator.
Water quality and safety will always be Pat's first priority. Pat is trusted by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association to always defend Propositions 13 & 218.
Pat will invest in the pipes, pumps and reservoirs that keep water flowing through drought and emergencies, at the lowest responsible cost.
From her neighborhood's community services district to the California State Senate, Pat Bates has spent her career representing the same communities Moulton Niguel Water District serves.
Pat Bates got her start in public service the same way many MNWD directors do: on her own neighborhood's community services district, a special district just like Moulton Niguel. From there she led the incorporation of the City of Laguna Niguel, served as its first mayor, and spent a decade on its city council — including leading the fight to stop the El Toro International Airport, one of the defining battles for South County's quality of life.
She went on to represent every community in Moulton Niguel's service area at every level of government: as an Orange County Supervisor (2007–2014), a California State Assemblywoman (1998–2004), and a California State Senator (2014–2022), where she was elected Senate Minority Leader in 2017 — only the second woman to lead a party caucus in the California State Senate.
Throughout her career, Pat has been a consistent taxfighter. She defended Proposition 13 and Proposition 218 — the law that gives ratepayers the right to challenge water rate increases — and earned the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association's highest rating for her voting record. She continues that work today as a director of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, protecting taxpayers across California, and as President of the Laguna Niguel Historical Society.
Now Pat is focused on water. Whether you're a renter or a homeowner, a young family or a retiree, she believes everyone deserves safe, reliable water at a price they can afford — and she's ready to bring her experience to work for Moulton Niguel ratepayers.
Grassroots support powers this campaign. Your contribution helps us reach every voter in Moulton Niguel Water District and keep proven leadership working for ratepayers.
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