Stephen C. Padilla (born 1967) is an American politician, public policy, advocacy and communications consultant serving in the California State Senate since 2022. From 1994 to 2002, he served two terms on the Chula Vista City Council. He served as Mayor of Chula Vista (Pop. 240,000) from 2002 to 2006 and as a member of the California Coastal Commission from 2005 to 2007, and again since 2017. He served as a member of the Board of Port Commissioners of the Unified Port of San Diego, as Board Secretary and Vice Chairman-Elect from 2009 to 2011. In 2016, he was again elected to the Chula Vista City Council.

He is also noted for being one of the state's increasing number of openly gay political leaders.

His father was Mexican and his mother was Portuguese.

Shortly after Padilla was born, his father joined the United States Marine Corps, and was deployed to serve in the Vietnam War. Shortly after Padilla's father returned home from this tour of duty, he was killed in an automobile accident. Padilla's mother thereafter purchased a home in Chula Vista to raise her family in. Padilla's mother remarried, giving Padilla and his siblings a stepfather.

Padilla was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, and later became involved with the Chula Vista Explorer Scouts.

Padilla's first career venture was into law enforcement. After graduating from Bonita Vista High School, he became the youngest cadet accepted into the Southwestern Police Academy. A police officer for thirteen years, he served as a Detective, specializing in domestic violence and child abuse before entering the public arena. He served for a period as the president of the Chula Vista Police Officers Association.

While a police officer, Padilla returned to school, and received his bachelor's degree in public administration. He was appointed by the City Council to various city boards and commissions, including the Board of Ethics, and Safety Commission.

Padilla worked as a substitute teacher for the Sweetwater Union High School District.