The race for California’s Assembly District 27 has emerged as a key contest in the Central Valley, with incumbent Democrat Esmeralda Soria facing a determined challenge from conservative Republican Joanna Garcia Rose.

This district, which includes parts of Fresno, Merced, and Madera counties, has become a political battleground in California where, like in many California regions, public safety has taken a hot seat.

Although Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district (41%-28%), about 26% of the electorate is either No Party Preference (NPP) or American Independent. The candidate that appeals most to these unaligned voters is likely to come out on top. 

Soria, a former Fresno city councilmember who has held the seat for one term, is running for re-election in a district where agricultural issues and water rights are also of paramount importance.

In the primary, the end result was razor thin, with Rose earning 50.9% of the vote to Soria’s 49%, but the general election is expected to bring out more Democratic voters.

While Soria is the incumbent, Rose’s campaign has gained traction, particularly among voters who are frustrated with the region’s economic challenges and public safety issues.

These issues, along with NPP voters, are expected to play a pivotal role in what is shaping up to be a very tightly contested election battle.

Esmeralda Soria: Law Enforcement Backs the Incumbent

Soria has a background in local government and community organizing. She has focused her campaign on public safety, education, and economic development. During her first term in the Assembly, Soria worked on legislation aimed at improving healthcare access in rural areas, supporting public education, and promoting job growth in the agricultural sector.

Earlier this year, Soria held round table discussions with several law enforcement organizations, and authored several bills to increase penalties for theft, revise Proposition 47 to make certain crimes felonies instead of misdemeanors, and to make fentanyl traffickers criminally responsible for overdoses, poisonings, and deaths.  

Notably, Soria has drawn the endorsement of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, the Fresno Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and the Fresno Police Officers Association.

“A daughter of farm workers, Soria is a lifelong resident of the Central Valley who understands the challenges facing Valley families and residents because she’s lived them,” her campaign website says. “Having worked alongside her parents in the fields and packing houses throughout childhood, then working her way through college and law school, Soria has devoted her life to public service as an educator, community advocate, and city councilwoman.”

Soria’s campaign has drawn support from law enforcement, labor organizations, environmental groups, and various advocacy organizations. 

Joanna Garcia Rose: Madera County GOP Backs the Challenger

Rose, the Republican challenger, is a small business owner and local farmer who has centered her campaign on conservative principles, emphasizing economic growth, public safety, and water rights. Rose’s deep roots in the agricultural community have positioned her as a candidate who understands the unique challenges of the Central Valley.

Her campaign has drawn support from several Republican legislators and the Madera County GOP.

“Our district deserves a representative who will stand up for our farmers, protect our water rights, and ensure the safety of our communities,” Rose stated at a recent town hall meeting.

Public safety is a major focus for Rose, who has criticized what she sees as the current administration’s soft stance on crime. She has called for stronger support for law enforcement and tougher penalties for criminal offenses, arguing that a focus on law and order is essential for maintaining the district’s safety and prosperity.

Editor's Note (9/16/24): Joanna Garcia Rose reached out to Independent Voter News to provide additional information about her campaign, including that she is the co-chair of Prop. 36, which if approved by voters will raise penalties for theft and drug crimes. She has also received law enforcement endorsements from Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke, Atwater Police Chief Micheal Salvador, Retired Fresno Sheriff Margarat Mimms, and Madera District Supervisor 1 and Fresno police officer Jordan Wamhoff.

“California is on the wrong track, and it’s time we send a professional auditor to Sacramento. We need someone who will carefully examine the laws and the state’s finances so we can start turning things around,” Rose says on her campaign website.

What’s at Stake?

The AD27 race is critical for both parties as they seek to secure key legislative seats in the Central Valley.

A win for Soria would keep another moderate voice on the Democratic aisle. For Republicans, winning AD27 would represent a significant victory in a region that has become increasingly competitive.

As the general election approaches, both Soria and Rose are expected to intensify their efforts to win over NPP and undecided voters, particularly those in the district’s rural areas.

With both candidates offering different visions for the future of the district, this race is likely to be one of the most closely watched contests in the state.