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The Republican Marine veteran breaks a Democratic stronghold with a decisive focus on public safety and education.
In a significant political shift, former Marine Jeff Gonzalez (R) officially defeated Coachella Valley Unified School District board member Joey Acuna Jr. (D) on Monday, securing the 36th District Assembly seat. This victory marks the first Republican win in the district since 2008, a major blow to Democratic dominance in the region.
The 36th District, encompassing Indio, Coachella, and the southeastern desert areas of California, has been a Democratic stronghold for nearly two decades. Since 2014, Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) has maintained the seat, but shifting demographics and growing GOP momentum among Latino voters eroded the party’s grip. In 2022, Garcia narrowly won re-election with just over 53% of the vote, signaling a weakening hold. With Garcia term-limited, the 2024 race between Gonzalez and Acuna became a critical battleground.
Despite Acuna’s early lead, Gonzalez surged in the campaign’s final stretch, emphasizing public safety and education. His message resonated with a wide range of voters, further energized by a visit from President-elect Donald Trump to Coachella in October, which bolstered Republican turnout.
The election remained undecided for weeks, but Monday’s finalized count gave Gonzalez a narrow but clear victory: 72,803 votes (51.6%) to Acuna’s 68,417 (48.4%). Gonzalez celebrated with supporters in Palm Desert, calling his win a triumph of ordinary citizens over entrenched political interests.
“It’s time for people over politics,” Gonzalez declared. “What you see here is a small representation of the group of volunteers that came together — Democrats, Republicans — not because of party, but because of what’s taking place in California. We the people stood up, we the people have risen, and we the people have won.”
Acuna conceded gracefully but hinted at ongoing Democratic priorities. “It’s clear that this election didn’t go our way. I congratulate Jeff Gonzalez and wish him all the best in representing Assembly District 36. 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. I will continue that focus and look for new opportunities to make a difference,” Acuna said.
Gonzalez’s win is more than just a Republican victory; it is a historic milestone. He is the first Republican to flip a California Assembly seat during a presidential election year since 1992 and the first to take the 36th District seat since 2008.
Political analysts have already begun dissecting the results. “Democrats are shaking their heads at this one,” said Riverside County pollster Carlos Rivas. “It was a strong GOP candidate in a year that saw major boosts of support. Gonzalez appealed broadly, winning over Latino voters, rural residents, veterans, and families with special needs—groups that often get overlooked but made a big difference in a tight race.”
Rivas added, “2024 was definitely a Republican-favored election. Gonzalez showed that even in California, the GOP can make inroads with the right candidate.”
Gonzalez’s victory represents a critical shift in the political landscape and a moment of reckoning for California Democrats, who now face the challenge of reclaiming ground lost in this historic race.
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