About Don Wagner

Elected in 2019 to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Don works hard to bring accountability and transparency to county government, focusing his effort on improving our quality of life. He has already taken the lead in creating stricter regulations on Sober Living Homes to protect our neighborhoods. He voted against unnecessary toll increases on our toll roads, and forcefully advanced a complicated multi-agency and multi-county deal on a long-delayed transportation project that will reduce gridlock on our roads. Finally, in only a matter of a few months on the job, Don successfully negotiated the re-opening of Irvine Lake, which had been closed by bureaucratic disputes for more than three years. Because of Don Wagner’s leadership, a community asset enjoyed by generations has been returned to the public.

Don has a distinguished career of public service and accomplishments on behalf of the people he is privileged to represent. First elected to the South Orange County Community College District’s Board of Trustees, Don served three consecutive terms, including an unprecedented six years as Board President. Under Don’s direction and care, the Board crafted sound educational policies while his district balanced every budget and paid off all debts – without raising taxes!

Don then took his commitment to limited, responsible governance to the state level. During his six years in the State legislature, he served on all of the financial committees, having oversight of all state spending and revenue. He fought against wasteful, reckless budgets, quickly developing a reputation as a straight-shooter with a commitment to fiscal responsibility. In fact, his expertise in government fiscal affairs led to him twice serving the Association of California Cities – Orange County in teaching government finance and budgeting to local elected officials.

His Sacramento leadership also extended to numerous other areas of state significance. For example, he was the Vice-Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, having principle jurisdiction over the courts, the legal profession, and most state codes, and was the Vice-Chairman of the Aging and Long-Term Care Committee with principle responsibility for care of our aging population. He also served on the Education and Health Committees, among others, and as Chairman of the University of California caucus. 

Following his work at the state, Don became the Mayor of Irvine where he led a city renaissance. Under Don’s leadership, the Irvine Great Park is finally being built out. He worked diligently to provide additional park, recreation and quality of life improvements in the city, again without once raising taxes. He implemented a detailed traffic improvement plan that has reduced traffic congestion. And he made certain not to approve a single residential development project that would contribute to further overcrowding and congested roads. Don is a proven, results-driven leader.

Don Wagner is also quite active in the Orange County business and legal communities. He has served on several committees and advisory boards for the Orange County Bar Association, and as a Judge Pro Tempore in the Superior Court of Orange County. He has also published articles on legal, political, and cultural topics in the local media.

Don and his wife, Megan, have resided in our district since 1991, where they raised their three children, all of whom were educated in local public schools. He received his bachelor’s degree from UCLA and his Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.