Gonzalez Keeps Working as General Election Looms
INDIO — Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, R—Indio, has advanced to the November General Election following the June 2 Primary Election. He captured 14,555 votes, or 48.97%, of the votes cast, according to unofficial vote totals from the Registrar of Voters at 10 a.m. Wednesday,
Two Democrats, Imperial Mayor Ida Obeso-Martinez and Indio Councilmember Oscar Ortiz, continue to vie for the second spot to move to the November general election. Obeso-Martinez currently has 21.59% of the vote, while Ortiz has 21.86%. Some 81 points separates them.
There is still a long way to go until this race is over. Election Night vote counting has concluded; however, election results are not final. An estimated 320,000 Vote-by-Mail ballots and 3,200 Conditional Voter Registration (CVR) ballots remain to be processed and counted. In addition, ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by June 9, 2026, remain eligible for processing. Signature cure letters will be accepted through June 24, 2026. The next election results update will be posted by 6 p.m. today, Wednesday, June 3.
While many candidates and their supporters held watch parties and gatherings, Gonalez told Uken Report he was in Sacramento working on legislation.
“I am honored by the support we received in this election and grateful to every voter, volunteer, and supporter who made this victory possible. While we are proud to advance to the General Election, the real work continues,” he said in a statement. “I remain committed to fighting for veterans, the disability community, rural communities, and hardworking Californians across the 36th District. I will never stop putting people over politics and delivering results for those I serve.”
Gonzalez, a 21-year Marine Corps combat veteran and the only veteran currently serving in the California State Assembly, was first elected in 2024 and represents communities stretching from Indio to Blythe, Needles to Anza, and throughout Imperial County.
