Republicans appears likely to flip majority-Latino California state assembly seat

Republicans in a predominantly Latino district in California are celebrating a major victory as Jeff Gonzalez, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, is on track to flip a Democratic state Assembly seat red. Gonzalez is leading Democrat Joey Acuña, a school board member, by an insurmountable 4,362 votes, or 3.1%, according to official count numbers.

This potential win marks a historic moment as it would be the first time since 1992 that Republicans in California have gained a seat in the state legislature during a presidential cycle. The 36th Assembly District, which includes Indio and Coachella, is poised to have Gonzalez as its new state assembly member, succeeding longtime Democratic legislator Eduardo Garcia.

Garcia, from Coachella, chose not to seek re-election this year and instead endorsed Acuña, the Coachella Valley Unified School District board president. Despite Democrats making up 42.3% of registered voters in the district compared to Republicans’ 28.7%, Gonzalez’s strong showing in the primary and general election has put him in a winning position.

Gonzalez, a 21-year Marine Corps veteran who served on embassy protection missions, is also a pastor and small business owner. He ran on a platform of cutting red tape, lowering taxes, and fees on essentials like groceries and gas, with a focus on reviving the California Dream. Additionally, he aims to address inflation by implementing the largest middle-class tax cut in California history, improve education by hiring more teachers and enhancing school security, and promote bipartisanship by supporting good ideas from both parties.

On the other hand, Acuña campaigned on tackling affordability, housing, and public safety issues. As a five-term member of the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, Acuña has worked to improve graduation rates, expand after-school programs, and enhance college and career pathway programs.

The potential victory for Gonzalez in a deep blue state like California highlights the shifting political landscape in diverse communities. If elected, Gonzalez will bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to serving the needs of the district’s residents.