Arámbula cruising to victory over GOP challenger in CA Assembly District 31 contest
Assemblymember Dr. Joaquín Arámbula, a Democrat from Fresno, won an easy victory in his re-election bid to represent the California Assembly’s 31st District.
Returns reported after midnight Wednesday from the California Secretary of State show Arámbula, who was first elected in a 2016 special election, led his Republican challenger, college student Solomon Verduzco, 57.9% to 42.1%. The results reflect all 235 of the precincts in the district reported.
The 31st Assembly District sits entirely within Fresno County and includes much of Fresno, part of Clovis, as well as Sanger, Selma, Fowler, Parlier, Orange Cove, and parts of rural Fresno County to the southeast of Fresno.
Typically – but not always – returns compiled by the end of Election Night reflect percentages similar to the final confirmed result when all of the counting is completed and the election certified. That could take up to four weeks after Election Day.
Arámbula, 46, a medical doctor, had never received less than 60% of the vote in the district in previous elections. In the primary, he outpolled Verduzco by a margin of 60% to 40%.
In addition to serving on the Assembly’s Appropriations, Health, Higher Education committees and other legislative committees, Arámbula is the Assembly’s ex officio, non-voting representative on the California High-Speed Rail Authority board of directors.
In recent years, Arámbula has helped pass legislation to expand health coverage to all undocumented residents. He is also working to train and retain more doctors and nurses in a region lacking in health professionals.
Earlier this year, Arámbula told The Fresno Bee that he is also focused on helping to create good-paying jobs, and address environmental issues like access to clean water and clean air.
He helped steer $70 million for West Fresno through the Transformative Climate Communities that included construction of the Fresno City College West Campus.
Arámbula also provided $2 million to help Radio Bilingüe’s expansion, and $2 million for a new police department headquarters in Orange Cove.
Verduzco, a 21-year-old college student who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in justice studies with a goal of attending law school, describes himself as a political commentator and community volunteer with “years of dedicated study in public policy.”
Verduzco told The Bee that he wants to cut bureaucratic red tape to facilitate economic development, improvements to health care, and construction of more housing.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 8:44 PM.
