New Poll Shows Ida Obeso-Martinez Leads Republican Incumbent Jeff Gonzalez by +8 in AD-36

IMPERIAL — A new districtwide poll shows Ida Obeso-Martinez leading Republican incumbent Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez by 8 percentage points, putting the Democratic challenger in a strong position to flip California’s 36th Assembly District back to blue this November.

This follows a continued erosion of support from the MAGA incumbent Gonzales who garnered only 44% in the June Primary. Since California’s top two primary elections went into effect in 2012, no Republican incumbent has ever been elected with this poor of an election result.

The Tulchin Research survey of 600 likely November voters finds Obeso-Martinez leading Gonzalez 47% to 39%, with 13% undecided.

“There is a lot of time between now and Election Day, so I wouldn’t start celebrating based on one poll,” Gonzalez told Uken Report 0n Wednesday. “I’ve been underestimated before, and I’ve proven the polls wrong. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve always done: showing up, listening to the people of Assembly District 36, and putting people over politics.”

Our district deserves a representative who will stand up to the Sacramento status quo, not a button-pusher who will continue making California more unaffordable for hardworking families, Gonzalez said, “I’ll continue fighting for every community in this district and making sure our constituents have a voice in Sacramento. I’m going to keep working, earning votes, and delivering results for the people of this district.”

Obeso-Martinez’s eight-point advantage also mirrors Democratic strength at the top of the ticket. In the same survey, Democrat Xavier Becerra leads Republican Steve Hilton 50% to 43% in the race for governor, further demonstrating the district’s Democratic lean heading into November.

LINK TO THE POLL MEMO HERE

“This poll reflects what we’re hearing across the district: families are ready for change and for representation that reflects their values,” Obeso-Martinez said. “Assembly District 36 is a Democratic district, and these numbers show we are in a strong position to flip this seat back to blue and get back to delivering results for working families.”

The poll comes as Obeso-Martinez continues to build a broad coalition of support from Democratic leaders, organized labor, healthcare professionals, and local elected and community leaders throughout Assembly District 36.

Assembly District 36 spans portions of Riverside, Imperial, and San Bernardino counties and includes the cities of Brawley, Calexico, Coachella, El Centro, Hemet, Imperial, Indio, and Needles, among many others. It is considered the top targeted Assembly race in California due to its democratic majority and extreme partisan record of its republican incumbent.