Steve Choi holds a Ph.D. in library and information science and has taught at several universities, including USC and UCI. He has extensive experience in education, having worked as a librarian, assistant professor, and head of technical services. Choi has also founded and directed an academy focused on academic enrichment and owns two math and reading centers. He has served on the Irvine Unified School District board and held positions as Irvine City Councilman, Mayor, State Assemblyman, and State Senator.

Steve Choi's political philosophy is marked by a strong emphasis on fiscal responsibility and education excellence, combined with an unexpected opposition to new taxes. His legislative actions, such as demanding a forensic audit of OC Great Park, reveal a commitment to exposing wasteful spending. Despite his focus on education, Choi consistently opposes new taxes, including the gas tax SB1, illustrating a calculated approach to balancing regional economic interests with fiscal conservatism. This juxtaposition of advocating for education while resisting tax increases presents a unique ideological tension worth exploring further.