Jeff Gonzalez

Jeff Gonzalez is a Republican member of the California State Assembly representing District 36, which encompasses parts of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties in southeastern California's Low Desert region, including the Coachella Valley.

Born on August 5, 1974, Gonzalez is 51 years old. He is a retired Marine, pastor, and business owner who has dedicated his career to public service and community leadership. Gonzalez is married with four children, one of whom has cerebral palsy. He describes himself as a husband, father, and veteran committed to serving his district.

Political Experience

Gonzalez first ran for the California State Assembly in 2018, challenging incumbent Democrat Eduardo Garcia in the 56th District but lost by a wide margin. He ran again in 2024 after Garcia retired, defeating Coachella School Board Trustee Joey Acuña in a major upset that surprised political insiders, as the majority-Latino district had long been considered safely Democratic.

Gonzalez currently serves in the California State Assembly with the following committee assignments:

Standing Committees:
- Vice Chair, Military and Veterans Affairs
- Vice Chair, Water, Parks, and Wildlife
- Member, Aging and Long-Term Care
- Member, Agriculture
- Member, Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
- Member, Higher Education

Select Committees:
- Member, Select Committee on California's Mental Health Crisis
- Member, Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs
- Member, Select Committee on Community Economic Mobility and Investment
- Member, Select Committee on Cybersecurity
- Member, Select Committee on Latina Inequities
- Member, Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia

Military and Professional Background

Gonzalez served 21 years in the United States Marine Corps and was deployed to combat zones on four occasions, including Iraq and Afghanistan. He also completed Embassy Protection missions in Honduras and the Czech Republic, working with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

After his military service, Gonzalez became a pastor, motivated by witnessing the mental health struggles of fellow Marines following their deployments. He works as a global security and operations consultant and focuses on policies promoting economic affordability and financial security for Californians.