Incumbent Arámbula coasting in Assembly District 31 primary win with 60% of the vote

Voters in Assembly District 31 appear ready to return Dr. Joaquín Arámbula to Sacramento according to early results. But first, he will have to win in November.

The 46-year-old Democrat, who won a 2016 special election, had an overwhelming 59.5% of the vote as of 3:01 a.m. Wednesday.. Republican challenger Solomon Verduzco, a political strategist and commentator, trailed with 40.5% of the vote.

Arámbula has never won less than 60% of the vote in the district.

Both will move on to the November election.

The district lies entirely inside Fresno County, and includes a big chunk of the City of Fresno and a portion of Clovis. It includes the cities of Sanger, Selma, Fowler, Parlier and Orange Cove.

Arámbula, who has raised more than $200,000 for his reelection campaign, has represented a district that is 68.4% Latino and 47% Democrat. Verduzco raised less than $6,000.

In recent years, he 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.

In a conversation with The Fresno Bee earlier this year, Arámbula said he is also focused on helping to create good-paying jobs, and address environmental issues like access to clean water and clean air.

“Since my election in 2016, I have fought hard to bring resources to the communities I represent,” said Arámbula. “I have authored legislation that is district specific and some that is statewide.”

On Monday, he teamed with state Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, to

Arámbula – whose father, Juan Arámbula, also served in the Assembly – got $7 million in state funds to help Arte Américas two years ago.

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.

The incumbent also holds bi-annual health/resource fairs throughout the district.

He currently serves on the Assembly Appropriations, Emergency Management, Health and Higher Education committees. He is the Democratic alternate to the Rules committee.

This story was originally published March 5, 2024 at 8:45 PM.