Assembly District 36: Gonzalez, Obeso-Martinez face off in competitive race
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – With Election Day less than two weeks away, the race for California’s 36th Assembly District is drawing significant attention, with millions of dollars in campaign contributions and outside spending fueling the closely watched contest.
Republican incumbent Jeff Gonzalez is seeking a second term in Sacramento, while Democratic challenger Ida Obeso-Martinez is hoping to flip the seat back to Democratic control.
The district stretches across parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties and all of Imperial County, including communities in the Coachella and Imperial valleys. Latino residents make up the majority of the district’s population, and Democrats hold a voter registration advantage.
Gonzalez flipped the district in 2024 despite that Democratic advantage. Now, Democrats are working to reclaim the seat in the November 3 election.
News Channel 3 spoke in depth with both candidates about their priorities, the challenges facing the district, campaign spending and why they believe they are the right choice for voters.
“My goal is to bring it back,” Obeso-Martinez said. “We have a coalition across from our federal leaders, congressman, and many assembly members who will work together to get things across the finish lines and what I mean by that is bringing the much needed money and infrastructure needed for the past two years.”
Gonzalez, a Marine Corps veteran, former pastor and small business owner, said his approach to representing the district goes beyond political party lines.
“We talk to everyone not just one side,” Gonzalez said. “I made it a point when we first got here that I wasn’t going to get bogged down and distracted by partisan politics, I came here to serve.”
Obeso-Martinez, a nurse practitioner and mayor of Imperial, pointed to her experience in local government as she makes her case for a seat in Sacramento.
“I’d bring different spirits with myself being already an elected mayor of imperial I’ve gotten to work with local leaders and gotten work done,” Obeso-Martinez said.
Both candidates identified affordability as one of their top priorities.
“We see how much gas is costing, groceries, healthcare. I’ve been a nurse for 20 years,” Obeso-Martinez said.
Gonzalez pointed to legislation he introduced to suspend California’s gas tax as one way to provide financial relief to residents.
“What did we do in the past two years? We passed legislation to tackle affordability. What will we do? The same thing,” Gonzalez said. “If legislators really want to do something about the gas tax then we have to accept bills like the one I introduced to suspend the gas tax.”
Immigration enforcement was another major issue discussed during the interviews, particularly as News Channel 3 continues reporting on increased federal immigration enforcement activity in local communities.
Obeso-Martinez expressed concerns about enforcement tactics and the impact they are having on families across the district.
“We want safe borders, we want criminals to be taken care of but right now we have our friends and family going to work, school and they are afraid,” Obeso-Martinez said. “I saw people were afraid to go to the hospital… we believe in safe borders, it’s the tactics I don’t agree with.”
Gonzalez pointed to bipartisan efforts to address immigration laws, saying lawmakers from both parties have worked together on potential changes.
“We got together, Democrats and Republicans and said what can we do in California to change law?” Gonzalez said. “We came together in a special committee and we built a five pillar framework to change law. We gave that to our federal problem solvers and are using that to change law.”
The race has also attracted millions of dollars in campaign contributions and outside spending, highlighting the attention both political parties are giving the district.
Political analyst Chad Mayes said the resources going into the contest reflect how competitive the race has become.
“The democrats really believe they can win the seat… they are putting a lot of money and resources into that district for Ida,” Mayes said. “I think it’s the most competitive race in the valley this year.”
Campaign finance records show Obeso-Martinez has raised more money in direct campaign contributions than Gonzalez, while outside groups have spent more supporting Gonzalez than his Democratic challenger.
News Channel 3 asked both candidates about the financial support behind their campaigns.
“We’re supported by the Democratic Party on the state level and we’re really proud of the money we have raised,” Obeso-Martinez said. “We do not any outside influence aside from a nursing organization.”
When asked about outside spending supporting his campaign, Gonzalez said, “They just don’t believe she’s the right candidate to represent a very diverse district.”
Some of that campaign spending has gone toward political advertisements criticizing the candidates and their records.
News Channel 3 showed both candidates attack ads targeting their campaigns and asked them to respond directly to the claims.
Obeso-Martinez pushed back against the criticism, describing the attacks as politically motivated.
“I think it’s a political hunt and it’s a Republican play,” Obeso-Martinez said. “I’m attacking him on his voting record, not his character.”
She also defended her record in local government.
“The things that we’ve done is always for our residents. If it’s going to DC we’re advocating a securing funding,” Obeso-Martinez said.
Gonzalez also disputed claims made in advertisements targeting him, including criticism involving federal policies.
“Some of them are preposterous. That I voted for the war in Iran and tariffs,” Gonzalez said. “We don’t do that in Sacramento. We have no jurisdiction over that.”
Both candidates also shared criticism of their opponents during their interviews, but News Channel 3 focused on their positions on issues affecting the district and what they plan to accomplish if elected.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
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