Jeff Gonzalez | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the California State Assembly from the 36th district | |
| Assuming office December 2, 2024 | |
| Succeeding | Eduardo Garcia |
| Personal details | |
| Born | New Jersey |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | 4 |
| Children | Christine |
| Residence | Indio, California |
| Education | National University (BA, MS) |
Jeff Gonzalez is an American veteran, businessman, and politician who is a member-elect of the California State Assembly from the 36th District. A Republican, he flipped the majority Latino district in 2024 which includes eastern Riverside County and Imperial County in the High Desert.
Early life and education
editGonzalez is a first-generation American born in New Jersey and raised in Southern California.[1] He graduated from National University with a Bachelor's in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and a Master of Science in organizational leadership.
Career
editUpon graduating high school, Gonzalez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at 19. He was deployed overseas to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as U.S. embassies in Honduras and the Czech Republic. He retired after two decades of service and became a pastor at Southwest Church in Indian Wells and Saddleback Church in Orange County.[1]
California State Assembly
edit2018 campaign
editGonzalez first ran for the California State Assembly in the 56th district against incumbent Democrat Eduardo Garcia in 2018.[1] He lost by a wide margin.
2024 campaign
editGonzalez defeated Acuña in the general election in a major upset.
Electoral history
edit2018
edit| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Eduardo Garcia (incumbent) | 31,747 | 60.3 | |
| Republican | Jeff Gonzalez | 13,331 | 25.3 | |
| Republican | Jonathan Reiss | 7,527 | 14.3 | |
| Total votes | 52,605 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Eduardo Garcia (incumbent) | 62,622 | 64.8 | |
| Republican | Jeff Gonzalez | 34,088 | 35.2 | |
| Total votes | 96,710 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Personal life
editGonzalez and his wife, Christine, have four children including an adult son diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They live in Indio, California.
References
edit- ^ a b c Newkirk, Barrett (January 31, 2018). "Republican Jeff Gonzalez announces challenge to Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia".
- ^ "Inland Empire Election Results, Riverside & San Bernardino County". InlandEmpire.us. Press release. November 7, 2018.