FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brian Schwartz
(805) 404-8442
[email protected]
Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria Announces Candidacy for State Senate District 14
Soria enters the race with an exclusive endorsement from sitting State Senator Anna Caballero and broad community support
MERCED, CA – Today, Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria officially announced her candidacy for California’s 14th State Senate District in 2026.
“I first ran for the State Assembly, to solve the problems that have frustrated Central Valley families and small businesses for too long. I’m proud of what has been accomplished, from protecting Madera Community Hospital to voting against increases on gas prices and delivering millions for affordable housing,” said Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria. “The Central Valley is my home, and I have spent my entire career fighting for our working families, farmers, small businesses, and veterans. The State Senate is an opportunity to continue our work and do even more for the Valley.”
Soria enters her State Senate campaign in a commanding position, with an exclusive endorsement from current State Senator Anna Caballero and backing from over 50 community leaders.
“Esmeralda Soria is the fighter that the Central Valley needs in the Senate. In the Assembly, she’s proven that she can bring resources home, stand up for working families, and deliver real results. I know she will continue that leadership in the Senate, and I am proud to support her,” said State Senator Anna Caballero.
Elected to the State Assembly in 2022, Esmeralda Soria quickly established herself as one of the most effective members of the legislature. In addition to serving as Chair of the Agriculture Committee, she has delivered historic funding and legislative wins for the Central Valley, including:
- $300 million to keep hospitals open, including Madera Community Hospital
- $140 million for public safety, emergency operations centers, and housing
- $120 million for flood recovery in impacted communities
- Expanding veterans’ benefits and fighting unfair taxation on military pensions
Soria is also a formidable force on the campaign trail, having won consecutive elections in the highly competitive 27th Assembly District. In 2024, Soria was re-elected with 54% of the vote while Trump won the district over Kamala Harris.
In addition to State Senator Anna Caballero, Soria’s campaign also unveiled a coalition of over 50 local leaders from the across the district backing her candidacy, including:
Countywide Leaders
- Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco
- Madera County Supervisor Leticia Gonzalez
- Merced County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Tiejien
- Merced County Treasurer-Tax Collector Karen Adams
- Fresno County Assessor-Recorder Paul Dictos
Mayors
- Huron Mayor Rey Leon
- Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco
- Firebaugh Mayor Freddy Valdez
- Livingston Mayor Jose Moran
- Mendota Mayor Victor Martinez
- Merced Mayor Matthew Serrato
- San Joaquin Mayor Adam Flores-Cornejo
- Madera Mayor Pro Tem Jose Rodriguez
- Livingston Vice-Mayor Gurpal Samra
- Coalinga Mayor Pro Tem Jose Manny Ramirez
- Mendota Mayor Pro Tem Jose Alonso
City Leaders
- Firebaugh Councilmember Felipe Perez
- Firebaugh Councilmember Brady Jenkins
- Fresno Councilmember Miguel Arias
- Fresno Councilmember Annalisa Perea
- Kerman Councilmember Ismael Herrera
- Kerman Councilmember Berdie Hall
- Kerman Councilmember Kanwaldeep Dhaliwal
- Former Kerman Councilmember Espi Sandoval
- Livingston Councilmember Jason Roth
- Madera Councilmember Jose Rodriguez
- Mendota Councilmember Jesse Mendoza
- Mendota Councilmember Joseph Riofrio
- Mendota Councilmember Libertad Lopez
- San Joaquin Councilmember Cristina Covarrubia
- Selma Councilmember John Trujillo
- Former Madera Mayor Santos Garcia
- Fresno Planning Commissioner DJ Criner
- Fresno Planning Commissioner Monica Diaz
- Fresno Planning Commissioner Gurdeep Singh Shergill
- Planada Municipal Advisory Committee Boardmember Olivia Gomez
Educators
- Merced River School District Superintendent Richard Lopez
- Trustee Naindeep Singh (Central Unified School District)
- Trustee Josh Sellars (Central Unified School District)
- Former Trustee Terry Cox (Central Unified School District)
- Trustee Eliseo Gamino (Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District)
- Trustee Zachery Ramos (Gustine Unified School District)
- Trustee Jessica Moran (Los Banos Unified School District)
- Trustee Lucy Salazar (Madera Unified School District)
- Trustee Joletta Fleak (Madera Unified School District)
- Trustee Nadeem Ahmad (Madera Unified School District)
- Trustee Priya Lakireddy (Merced City School District)
- Trustee Allen Brooks (Merced City School District)
- Trustee Kimberly Tapscott-Munson (Fresno County Board of Education)
- Trustee Ernie Ochoa (Merced Community College District)
- Trustee Joe Gutierrez (Merced Community College District)
- Trustee Mario Mendoza (Merced Community College District)
- Trustee Nasareen Johnson (State Center Community College District)
- Trustee Destiny Rodriguez (State Center Community College District)
- Former Trustee Isabel Barreras(State Center Community College District)
- Former Trustee Eric Payne (State Center Community College District)
- Trustee Jose Naranjo (Winton School Board)
For more information visit www.soriaforcalifornia.com
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