Marine Combat Veteran Seeks Assembly Seat

Marine Combat Veteran Jeff Gonzalez Announces Candidacy for Assembly District 36

INDIO – Republican candidate Jeff Gonzalez, a Marine combat Veteran, on Thursday announced his candidacy for Assembly District 36. He is seeking the seat Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia now holds. Garcia is not seeking reelection.

District 36 is a target Assembly district encompassing the counties of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Valley. Gonzalez is one of seven people vying for the seat. 

The top two vote-getters regardless of party affiliation will compete in the general election in November.

“I spent two decades serving the American people in the United States Marine Corps and want to continue this service in the State Assembly,” Gonzalez said in a news release. “California has growing problems, and I believe my background in the military, as a small business owner, and as the loving father of a child with special needs, gives me the kind of experience, we need to help find practical solutions.”

After completing high school, Gonzalez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. After two decades of service, Jeff retired from the military and concerned over the suicide of several fellow Marines, became a local pastor. Today, he owns and operates three small businesses and cares for his son, who has cerebral palsy.

He unsuccessfully challenged Garcia in 2018.

The 36th Assembly District has continued to trend Republican, with the margin in the California Gubernatorial race declining from 13% in 2014 to 9% in 2018 to 2% in 2022, Gonzalez said.

For more information about Jeff and the campaign, visit: https://www.gonzalez4assembly.com/