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Democratic candidate Joey Acuña officially conceded the race for State Assembly District 36, acknowledging that despite many ballots still being counted, the results are clear. In a statement, Acuña congratulated his opponent, Jeff Gonzalez, and wished him success in his new role.
As of Nov. 18, Gonzalez secured 51.6% of the vote (72,786 votes) in the State Assembly race, defeating Acuña, who garnered 48.4% (68,399 votes).
“Although many ballots remain to be counted, it’s clear that this election didn’t go our way,” Acuña said. “I congratulate Jeff Gonzalez and wish him all the best in representing Assembly District 36.”
Acuña expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support his campaign received from volunteers and donors throughout the election season.
“I want to thank our campaign’s supporters who donated, hosted events, knocked on doors, and put out yard signs. We had an incredible team, and I’m eternally grateful for all the hard work that went into this campaign,” Acuña added. “We launched our campaign last year with a focus on affordability and making sure the kids who grow up here have access to good schools and opportunities,” said Acuña. “I will continue that focus and look for new opportunities to make a difference.”
Gonzalez’s victory marks a significant shift in Imperial County’s political landscape, as he flipped a traditionally Democratic district, making him the first Republican to represent the area in the State Assembly since Bonnie Garcia. Garcia served for six years before being succeeded by Manuel Perez and then Eduardo Garcia, who chose to retire after ten years in office. Notably, it was Eduardo Garcia who invited Joey Acuña to run for the seat, ultimately setting the stage for Gonzalez’s historic win.
“Now the real work begins,” declared Jeff Gonzalez during his victory speech in the Coachella Valley on Nov. 18. Addressing a crowd of supporters, Gonzalez emphasized the unity behind his campaign. “From San Bernardino, Imperial, and Riverside, we all came together and said, ‘We the people have a voice, and we will take back California.’”
As a father to a son with cerebral palsy, Gonzalez has also confronted the complexities of the healthcare system. He knows what it means to fight for access to quality care, not just for his own family, but for all families who are struggling to ensure their loved ones receive the treatment they need. This personal journey, he said, was his main motivation to run for state assembly.
Gonzalez’s victory was fueled by a diverse coalition that included not only Republicans but also Democrats who crossed party lines to support his candidacy. Key to this alliance was a segment of Democratic voters known as “Democrats For Gonzalez” that were disillusioned with the incumbent Assemblyman’s leadership, citing unfulfilled promises and a lack of engagement on critical issues—most notably AB 918, which some criticized as an incomplete proposal to establish a new medical district in Imperial Valley. Despite the backing of some Valley Democrats, Acuña triumphed over Gonzalez by a significant margin, underscoring that Imperial County will remain a powerful Democratic stronghold for years to come. This was further evidenced by Rep. Raul Ruiz’s easy reelection victory against his opponent, Ian Weeks, in the county.
Gonzalez, a first-generation American, dedicated his life to service both in and out of uniform. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. His military career also included assignments protecting U.S. embassies in Honduras and the Czech Republic. Following 20 years of service, Gonzalez retired from the Marine Corps and transitioned to becoming a local pastor. His pastoral calling was deeply influenced by the loss of ten fellow Marines to suicide, driving him to focus on supporting vulnerable members of his community.
