The race for California’s Assembly District 50 has become an intense battle between two Democrats, Robert Garcia and Adam Perez, as they vie for the seat in a district that is overwhelmingly Democratic. 

Current Democratic Asm. Eloise Gomez Reyes consistently won her seat with around 57% against Republican opponents. The GOP did not field a candidate in the 2024 nonpartisan primary. 

Located in the Inland Empire in portions of San Bernardino County, AD50 is a deep blue district, but it’s also a district where No Party Preference voters (NPPs) are almost as numerous as Republican voters, 22% to 25%.

With two Democrats pursuing the seat, they will have to do their best to appeal to independent voters without alienating their more partisan and progressive supporters.

Both Garcia and Perez are well-known figures in the community, each with their own distinct policy priorities.

Robert Garcia: Driving The Core Issues for Democrats

Garcia has built his campaign around education, public safety, homelessness and housing, reducing the costs of goods and services for working families and others, and environmental justice.

“For 20 years, I’ve served our communities as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and Etiwanda School Board member, delivering results to strengthen education, keep students safe, and focus on mental health for middle schoolers. I’m running for State Assembly to put people ahead of special interests and deliver results,” Garcia says on his campaign website.

“As a son of immigrants, growing up in a union household, I defied odds, becoming the first in my family to graduate high school and college, earning degrees from UCLA and USC. Now, my wife and I are raising our three children in Rancho Cucamonga, as I successfully work towards excellence in education for Inland Empire students.”

Garcia is endorsed by labor unions, environmental organizations, state and local leaders, and the California Democratic Party.

Adam Perez: Focused on Business, Cost of Living, and Public Safety

An Army veteran, Perez has positioned himself as a community advocate and a moderate, attributes that could cost him with some progressive voters while earning him the support of NPP and GOP voters.

Perez’s platform is focused on reducing homelessness with a focus on mental health and housing; helping families who are struggling to keep pace with rising costs of living; fully funding schools and improving teacher recruitment and retention; encouraging innovation and helping local businesses grow and create jobs; combating climate change; clean air and water; and making neighborhoods safer.

“S​​an Bernardino County is an incredible place to call home, but rising homelessness, skyrocketing costs of living, and the accelerating impacts of climate change are big problems that require thoughtful leadership and a lot of hard work,” he says on his campaign website.

Perez has received endorsements from several law enforcement organizations, labor unions, and state and local leaders.

What’s at Stake?

The AD50 race, while between two Democrats, is significant as it will determine the direction of representation in this heavily Democratic and Latino district.

The outcome will likely reflect the broader ideological debates within the Democratic Party, between moderate approaches and more progressive visions.

As the general election approaches, both Garcia and Perez are expected to focus on mobilizing their respective bases while working to appeal to NPPs and undecided voters, who are weighing the merits of each candidate’s platform.