Joe LaCava

Joseph LaCava is an American politician and engineer serving as the president of the San Diego City Council since 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as president pro tempore of the city council from 2023 to 2024 under council president Sean Elo-Rivera and has served as a member of the city council since 2020, representing District 1.

Early life and education Joe LaCava was raised in the San Diego neighborhoods of Logan Heights and University Heights, before his family moved to Allied Gardens. After graduating Patrick Henry High School, he attended San Diego State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in engineering.

Career LaCava worked for the United States Forest Service in Northern California upon graduation, and became a civil engineer when he returned to San Diego. He served on the Bird Rock Community Council before becoming chairman of the La Jolla Community Planning Association. He represents the 1st District on the San Diego City Council, which includes the communities of La Jolla, Carmel Valley, and Torrey Pines, as well as the campus of the University of California, San Diego. The district originally included University City until the 2021 redistricting where it was removed in favor of Pacific Beach.

After assuming office in December 2020, LaCava served as president pro tempore of the San Diego City Council from 2023 to 2024. He ran for re-election to his council seat unopposed in the 2024 election. After the election, LaCava was elected to serve as president of the city council in a 9–0 vote.