FRESNO COUNTY – On the ballot this November includes candidates for the California State Assembly, which elects new members every two years.Â
In State Assembly District 31, incumbent Democrat Joaquin Arambula is running against Republican Solomon Verduzco. State Assembly District 31 serves residents in south Fresno County, including south Fresno, Selma, Fowler, Orange Cove and Sanger.Â
California voters can use the Secretary of State’s online voter registration tool at registertovote.ca.gov to register to vote or check their status. Voters in Fresno County can use an online district lookup tool through their county elections office to enter their address and find what Congressional, state, county and city districts they live in.
Verduzco and Arambula were the only two candidates in the March primary; Arambula received 60% of the vote and Verduzco received 40%.Â
Arambula spoke with Mineral King Publishing about his background and his goals for the upcoming Assembly term if he is elected Nov. 5. Interview responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Joaquin Arambula (D)*
Solomon Verduzco (R)*
Q: What is your background?Â
ARAMBULA: Dr. Joaquin Arambula was elected in 2016 to represent the 31st Assembly District in Fresno County in the Central Valley. He is the first Latino physician elected to the California State Assembly. … Arambula’s experience as an emergency room doctor in Selma forged his determination to improve health care for all people, especially the most vulnerable. He saw the emotional toll and financial hardships of people struggling with illnesses that could have been prevented with access to quality health care.
In the Assembly, Arambula served as Chair of Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services from 2016 to June 2023, focusing on improving health care access and affordability and ensuring the protection of safety net programs for working families. For example, by collaborating with advocates, he’s been a prime force in gaining full scope Medi-Cal for all income-eligible adults, regardless of immigration status. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked with community partners to deliver free vaccinations and food distributions to rural and underserved communities.
In other areas, Arambula has worked diligently to address the critical shortage of doctors and medical providers in the Central Valley; to expand workforce development programs and opportunities; and to support veterans and service members.
He also has obtained millions of dollars for the 31st Assembly District to benefit its communities. These efforts include securing $70 million for Transformative Climate Communities to invest in disadvantaged communities; $18 million for State Route 269 in Huron; $15 million for the San Joaquin River Conservancy to increase public access and shape the river into a regional gem; $10.5 million to improve public safety in the cities of Selma, Huron, Firebaugh, and Mendota; $6 million for the CalFood Program to assist local food banks; $2 million to Fresno City College for its Career and Technical Education program; and $1 million to Reedley College for its Aviation Maintenance Technology Program.
In addition, Arambula in the 2022-23 State Budget secured $18.75 million for Fresno State as part of the state’s investment in the California State University system’s farms; $15 million to support and expand Accountable Communities for Health, which includes the Fresno Community Health Improvement Partnership; $7 million to Arte Américas in Fresno for building renovations and program expansion for the only Latino cultural arts center in the Central San Joaquin Valley; $5 million for the City of Fowler ($4 million for a new Police Department and a Senior Center and $1 million for renovation of the Fowler Improvement Association Clubhouse); $4 million to Fresno State for new Mobile Health Units; $3 million to the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board for the ValleyBuild program; $2.75 million to the Fresno County Fire Protection District to help fund a new fire station and equipment; and more.
Most recently, Assemblymember Arambula secured state funds of $2 million for Fresno-based Radio Bilingüe, the preeminent bilingual public radio producer in the nation, to go toward a new building and programming; $2 million for the City of Orange Cove to support plans for a new police station; and $1 million to Live Again in Fresno to support the nonprofit organization’s purchase of a permanent home.
Arambula was born in Delano, the heart of the farmworker movement, and grew up in Fresno, where he attended public schools. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine and the University of Minnesota Medical School. Following graduation, he chose to return to Fresno to serve his community as a doctor.
His parents, Juan and Amy Arambula, instilled in their children a commitment to hard work, purpose and public service. Juan is a former Assembly member, and Amy is a health care advocate. Arambula and his wife, Elizabeth, have three daughters.
Q: What do you hope to change or accomplish in the next two years, if elected?Â
ARAMBULA: If re-elected, I will continue to fight for our fair share of funding and resources. I have always been a strong advocate for high quality and affordable access to health care for all. I will continue to work hard to increase the number of health care professionals in the Central Valley.Â
In addition, I believe that creating good paying jobs helps to uplift our communities. That’s why a big focus for the next two years will be on workforce and economic development. Â
Q: Who is supporting and endorsing your campaign, and who are the major funders of your campaign?Â
ARAMBULA: Labor Unions, California Teachers Association, SEIU (Service Employees International Union), California Dental Hygienist Association, California Firefighters Association, Northern California Carpenters, California Democratic Party, National Union of Healthcare Workers, California Academy of Family Physicians and the Fresno County Democratic Party.
Q: Your district includes many small cities and unincorporated communities that are often overlooked by the state government. How will you represent them and advocate for their needs?
ARAMBULA: I have always fought for all communities and people in my district. I have secured millions of dollars in funding for cities across AD 31, including cities I represented prior to redistricting. Some examples are: public safety funding for Selma, Huron, Mendota, Orange Cove and Fowler; CTE (career technical education) funding for Fresno City College and Reedley College; and a sewer line for the city of Reedley.
In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I ensured we prioritized bringing COVID-19 testing, vaccines and food distributions to areas like Del Rey, Cantua Creek, Orange Cove, Parlier, Biola, Lanare, Laton, Raisin City, Sanger and Fresno.
Q: The high cost of living is a major concern for Californians. What will you do in the state legislature to help make household expenses, like electricity and groceries, more affordable?Â
ARAMBULA: I will work with my colleagues to hold corporations accountable. I support economic development and job creation for the Central Valley to ensure families have good-paying jobs, as well as access to higher education, career pathways and apprenticeship programs.
Q: Anything else to add?
ARAMBULA: It has been my honor to represent and serve the people of the 31st Assembly District. I hope I’ve earned their vote once again and that they give me the opportunity to represent them in Sacramento.
