FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brian Schwartz (805) 404-8442 |
April 17, 2025
Valley Educators Unite Behind Esmeralda Soria for State Senate
MERCED, CA – Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria today announced the endorsement of more than 20 education leaders backing her campaign for Senate District 14, including local school board trustees, community college leaders, and superintendents. The announcement underscores Soria’s deep roots in the education community—and her commitment to ensuring that all Central Valley students have access to opportunity.
Before joining the Assembly, Soria served as a professor at Fresno City College. The daughter of immigrant farmworkers and a proud product of California’s public schools and universities, Soria credits her education as the foundation of her public service and her drive to lift up working families in the Valley.
“Education changed my life—and I know the power it holds for so many families across our region,” said Soria. “As a former educator, I’m honored to have the support of so many education leaders who are working every day to open doors for students. I will continue to fight alongside them in the State Senate to invest in our schools, strengthen our workforce, and ensure that every student—no matter their ZIP code—has the chance to succeed.”
The following education leaders have endorsed Esmeralda Soria for State Senate:
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)
Former Trustee Philip Cervantes (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 Carmen Ramirez (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)
The educators are the latest in a growing coalition of labor, local elected officials, and community leaders— including current State Senator Anna Caballero – uniting behind Soria’s vision for a stronger, more equitable Central Valley.
For more information and a full list of endorsements, visit www.soriaforcalifornia.com
###