Possibility of Losing Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia’s Seat to Republican Rattles Democrats

INDIO — Jeff Gonzalez, the Republican candidate for the 36th Assembly District, seems to have rattled some Democrats to the point that they rushing to open their pocketbooks to support his Democratic challenger, Joey Acuña, and save the Democratic seat.

Is it coincidence or a reaction to some possibly really bad polling information received that have Democrats rapidly shelling out for Acuña?

Between Sept. 23 and Oct. 19, the California Democratic Party conducted polling for the Acuña campaign. Shortly thereafter money started pouring into his campaign coffers. Results of the polling are under wraps of course.

Between Oct. 15 and Oct 31, the Democratic Party donated just shy of $800,000, as you can see here: https://ukenreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Democratic-Party-Donations-Last-two-weeks-UPDATED-Copy.jpg

The money dump is from his Form 497 and Form 460 since October 15th.  You can view them at https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1465181&view=electronic

Think Democrats are a bit nervous?

When Democratic Assemblymember Eduardo H. Garcia of Coachella abruptly announced in December 2023 that he would not seek re-election, party leaders already had hand-selected Acuña as the heir apparent to the seat. In less than one working day a campaign consultant issued a news release announcing that then-Coachella Valley Unified School District Board member Acuña would be running to succeed Garcia.

Contributions immediately started coming in. Among the first was from Garcia.

Both campaigns launched and along the way, Gonzalez began to pick up steam. He earned the endorsement of the Riverside Sheriff’s Association; Imperial County Sheriff Fred Miramontes; opened an office in Imperial County; gained the endorsement of Former Imperial County Democrat Central Committee Chair Tony Gallegos, who also served eight years as a board member of the Imperial Irrigation District; and more. People are starting to take notice.

Voters are also taking notice of Acuña — and not necessarily in a good way. They noticed that he failed to attract fewer than 100 people to an to an anti-Trump rally. An indictment on his leadership abilities?

They also noticed that Acuña fails to win the endorsement of teachers. To be clear, the Coachella Valley Teachers Association does not endorse in any elections but school board.

The California Teachers Association does endorse candidates and Initiatives. Check out its 2024 recommended California Assembly and State Senate candidates. 

Then, under his leadership on the board, $25,000 worth of musical instruments were stolen. Gonzalez started a GoFundMe page.

To date, nearly $5,000 has been raised.

While he’s been on the board, the churn in superintendents has been constant.

Voters are also noticing Acuña’s appearance. “Why does he always look like a thugs?” a community leader asked rhetorically on Monday.

Gonzalez is a Marine combat Veteran who lives with his family in Indio.

Assembly District 36 represents Imperial County, as well as portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in AD-36 by a 16% margin, and President Biden defeated Donald Trump in AD-36 by a 16% margin in 2020.