Dr. Darshana R. Patel is a Democrat representing California's 76th Assembly District in northern San Diego County, which includes the cities of Escondido, San Marcos, and San Diego, as well as unincorporated areas like Del Dios, Elfin Forest, Fairbanks Ranch, Harmony Grove, Lake San Marcos, and Rancho Santa Fe. Elected in November 2024 after defeating Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane with 54% of the vote, she is the first Hindu woman to serve in the California State Legislature. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Gujarati immigrant parents from India, Patel lost her mother at age 14, an experience that shaped her commitment to medical research and public service. She lives in San Diego's Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhood with her husband and three daughters.

Notable achievements include her work as a biotechnology research scientist at Genentech focusing on oncology and cancer treatments; leadership as President of the Poway Unified School District Board of Education, where she stabilized finances amid embezzlement scandals; service on the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs; and roles on the San Diego County School Boards Association, San Diego Police Department Northeastern Division Captain’s Advisory Board, and Rancho Peñasquitos Planning Board and Town Council. In the Assembly, she chairs the Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Accessibility, serves on committees addressing biotechnology, workforce development, Latina inequities, students with disabilities, and the restaurant industry, and has sponsored bills like one closing loopholes on threats to institutions and a unanimous measure with Assemblymember Ash Kalra establishing Diwali as a state holiday .

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. in Biochemistry from Occidental College; Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of California, Irvine.
• Political Experience: Trustee and President/Vice President, Poway Unified School District Board of Education ; Commissioner, California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs; Member, San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee; California State Assemblymember, District 76 .