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Joaquin Arambula

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Joaquin Arambula
Image
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 31st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 14, 2016
Preceded byHenry Perea
Personal details
Born (1977-05-17) May 17, 1977 (age 49)
Delano, California, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations
Independent (2014–2015)
Spouse
Elizabeth Arambula
​
​
(m. 2011; div. 2026)​
Children3
Relatives
EducationBowdoin College (BS)
University of Minnesota Medical School MD)

Joaquin Arambula (born May 17, 1977) is an American politician and emergency department physician serving in the California State Assembly. A member of the California Latino Legislative Caucus and the California Legislative Progressive Caucus, he was elected in a 2016 special election to represent the same district previously held by his father, Juan Arambula. The special election was held following the resignation of Henry Perea, who resigned from the Assembly to work as a lobbyist for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. He is currently running for Fresno City Council in 2026.

Early life and career

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Joaquin Arambula was born on May 17, 1977 in Delano, California to Juan Arambula and Amy Rappaport. His father, Juan Arambula, pursued a career in politics, serving on the Fresno Unified School District Board, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, and in the California State Assembly from 1987 to 2010.[1][2][3] His mother, Amy, is the daughter of lawyer Jerome Lyle Rappaport and the sister of Republican politician Jim Rappaport and adolescent psychiatrist Nancy Rappaport.[4] His brother, Diego, multiple positions in schools in Fresno before being appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees in 2020.[5] Arambula moved to Fresno for his education, attending Computech Middle School and Edison High School. He later studied at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and the University of Minnesota Medical School.[6][7] For 20 years, he practiced medicine in the Central Valley, where he said he saw patients who could not afford prescriptions, inspiring him to run for office.[3]

Political career

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In May 2015, Arambula announced his candidacy for the California State Assembly, aiming to succeed term-limited Democrat Henry Perea. He cited his experience as an emergency room doctor, saying he had seen too many people without access to primary care and was also concerned about public education.[3] His father, Juan, advised him against running and encouraged him to remain in medicine.[8] Perea resigned on December 31, 2015 to become a lobbyist, and a special election was held, which Arambula won.[2][9]

He was re-elected in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 by large margins against Republican opponents, never receiving less than 60% of the vote.[10][11] During his tenure in the California State Assembly, Arambula played a key role in efforts to expand Medi-Cal access to all residents regardless of immigration status.[12][13] His legislative priorities centered on improving health care access and affordability, protecting safety net programs for working families, addressing the shortage of doctors and medical providers, and expanding workforce development programs.[14][15]

In 2026, he announced his retirement from the State Assembly and said he would run for the Fresno City Council. During the primary, Solomon Verduzco, Arambula’s opponent in 2024, launched the website Joaquin Needs a Job, which attacked Arambula on his record.[16] He finished first with about 30% of the vote and went into a runoff against Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas.[17]

Personal life

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Arambula married his wife, Elizabeth, on January 22, 2011, having three girls with her.[18]

Arambula was arrested on December 10, 2018, on suspicion of willful cruelty to a child, a misdemeanor under California domestic violence statutes.[19][20] The assemblymember thanked the teachers at his daughter's school and police officers “for doing their job” in starting the investigation.[19] One of his daughters had alleged that her father hit her on the face while he was wearing a ring.[21] During trial, photos were shown to jurors that showed a 1-inch bruise on the child's right temple.[21] On the witness stand during his trial, his daughter largely described the incident as an accident.[22] In May 2019, a Fresno jury found Arambula not guilty.[22]

On January 7, 2026, Aarambula entered a voluntary inpatient rehabilitation program, and on January 26 his wife Elizabeth filed for divorce, accusing him of past substance abuse and gaming addiction. He completed the program on February 6, saying in his declaration that he “needed some help to adjust and to make sure that [he] did not become dependent on alcohol or marijuana,” and that he had no criminal or psychiatric history.[23] By April, they told reporters that they had met and reached a temporary agreement while continuing their divorce, with him being allowed to see their children and Elizabeth providing financial support.[24][25]

Electoral history

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2016 California State Assembly 31st district special election
Vacancy resulting from the resignation of Henry Perea[26]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joaquin Arambula 19,621 53.8
Republican Clint Olivier 14,708 40.3
Democratic Ted Miller 2,152 5.9
Total votes 36,481 100.0
Democratic hold
2016 California State Assembly 31st district election[27][28]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 31,600 57.7
Republican Clint Olivier 19,605 35.8
Democratic Ted Miller 3,582 6.5
Total votes 54,787 100.0
General election
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 62,404 63.8
Republican Clint Olivier 35,454 36.2
Total votes 97,858 100.0
Democratic hold
2018 California State Assembly 31st district election[29][30]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 24,128 59.5
Republican Lupe Espinoza 16,431 40.5
Total votes 40,559 100.0
General election
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 54,921 64.8
Republican Lupe Espinoza 29,771 35.2
Total votes 84,692 100.0
Democratic hold
2020 California State Assembly 31st district election[31][32]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 38,317 61.7
Republican Fernando Banuelos 23,743 38.3
Total votes 62,060 100.0
General election
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 77,193 61.9
Republican Fernando Banuelos 47,551 38.1
Total votes 124,744 100.0
Democratic hold
2022 California State Assembly 31st district election[33][34]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 23,629 55.5
Republican Dolce Misol Calandra 13,858 32.6
Democratic John Mendoza 3,242 7.6
No party preference Andrew Verhines 1,842 4.3
Total votes 42,571 100.0
General election
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 44,255 60.8
Republican Dolce Misol Calandra 28,557 39.2
Total votes 72,812 100.0
Democratic hold
2024 California State Assembly 31st district election[35][36]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 28,819 60.0
Republican Solomon Verduzco 19,240 40.0
Total votes 48,059 100.0
General election
Democratic Joaquin Arambula (incumbent) 69,767 60.2
Republican Solomon Verduzco 46,120 39.8
Total votes 115,887 100.0
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ↑ Rosenhall, Laurel (April 27, 2016). "Family ties run strong in the California Capitol". CalMatters.
  2. 1 2 Cadelago, Christopher; Miller, Jim (December 2, 2015). "Assemblyman Henry Perea will resign seat to become Capitol advocate". The Sacramento Bee.
  3. 1 2 3 Hawkins, Stephen (March 30, 2016). "Interview with Assembly candidate Dr. Joaquin Arambula". Fox 26 News.
  4. ↑ Marquard, Bryan (December 6, 2021). "Jerome Rappaport, philanthropist and civic leader who shaped Boston and its institutions, dies at 94". The Boston Globe.
  5. ↑ Loera, Juan Esparza (January 5, 2023). "Local politics has become a family affair for these Latino lawmakers". The Fresno Bee.
  6. ↑ Brown, Laura (May 27, 2015). "Arambula announces run for State Assembly". Hanford Sentinel.
  7. ↑ Lindsey, Kymberly (January 7, 2020). "Getting to Know Joaquin Arambula". The Big Red Church.
  8. ↑ Christoper, Ben (February 8, 2023). "Family business: Meet the Legacy Caucus in the California Legislature". CalMatters.
  9. ↑ "Central Valley doctor takes seat in California Assembly". The San Diego Union-Tribune. April 14, 2016.
  10. ↑ Loera, Juan Esparza (March 6, 2024). "Incumbent Arámbula coasting in Assembly District 31 primary win with 60% of the vote". The Fresno Bee.
  11. ↑ Sheehan, Tim (November 6, 2024). "Arámbula cruising to victory over GOP challenger in CA Assembly District 31 contest". The Fresno Bee.
  12. ↑ Galicia, Erik (February 26, 2026). "CA rolled back Medi-Cal for undocumented people. Fresno legislator's bill seeks change". The Fresno Bee.
  13. ↑ Myscofski, Megan (April 2, 2025). "New bill would further expand health care coverage to immigrants without legal status". CapRadio.
  14. ↑ Vaccari, Brianna (September 24, 2024). "Valley legislators push bills to ease nursing shortage". Turlock Journal.
  15. ↑ Aguilera, Elizabeth (February 17, 2022). "California eyes end to Medi-Cal premiums for children, vulnerable adults". CalMatters.
  16. ↑ Taub, David (June 1, 2026). "Anti-Arambula website launches. Former opponent behind political attacks". The Fresno Bee.
  17. ↑ Fannin, Liliana (June 26, 2026). "Final primary results for local Fresno-area races. Who's in a runoff?". The Fresno Bee.
  18. ↑ Taub, David (March 5, 2026). "Assemblymember Arambula Spent Month in Alcohol Rehab: Divorce Documents". GV Wire.
  19. 1 2 Luna, Taryn (December 12, 2018). "California Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula says he was arrested after spanking his daughter". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  20. ↑ Luna, Taryn (December 12, 2018). "Fresno Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula is arrested on child cruelty charge". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  21. 1 2 Luna, Taryn (4 May 2019). "Child cruelty case against California legislator begins in Fresno". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  22. 1 2 Luna, Taryn (18 May 2019). "Few left unscathed in Arambula trial, which cleared lawmaker of child cruelty charge". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  23. ↑ Montalvo, Melissa; Miller, Thaddeus (March 6, 2026). "Fresno lawmaker, council candidate entered rehab amid divorce. 'I needed some help'". The Fresno Bee.
  24. ↑ Miller, Thaddeus (April 27, 2026). "'Politics be damned.' Fresno assemblyman and wife reach agreement amid divorce". The Fresno Bee.
  25. ↑ Gligich, Daniel (April 25, 2026). "Arambulas reach settlement agreement in divorce". The San Joaquin Valley Sun.
  26. ↑ "Official Canvass - State Assemblymember - 31st Assembly District* - Special Primary Election, April, 5, 2016" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  27. ↑ "June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  28. ↑ "November 8, 2016, General Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  29. ↑ "June 5, 2018, Statewide Direct Primary Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  30. ↑ "November 6, 2018, General Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  31. ↑ "March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  32. ↑ "November 3, 2020, General Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  33. ↑ "June 7, 2022, Primary Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  34. ↑ "November 8, 2022, General Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  35. ↑ "March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  36. ↑ "November 5, 2024, General Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
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