Dr. Joaquin Arambula currently represents California's 31st Assembly District. He was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley and, at an early age, his parents instilled in him a commitment to hard work and public service, as well as a dedication to making the Central Valley a better place to live, work and raise a family.

A product of Fresno public schools, Joaquin attended medical school with the goal of serving the needs of rural communities. After medical school, he immediately returned to the Valley and has worked as an emergency room physician at Adventist Medical Center - Selma, serving patients from many small, rural farm-working communities in the San Joaquin Valley.

Joaquin served in a senior position with California Emergency Physicians at Adventist-Selma beginning in 2007 and was appointed Medical Director in early 2013. Under his leadership, the Selma Emergency Department was recognized as one of the most efficient emergency departments in the state and won several awards. It has won a number of awards, including CEP's Emergency Department of the Year in 2009, the CEP America Distinguished Site Award in 2012 and the Women's Choice Award as one of America's Best Hospitals in Emergency Care in 2014. Joaquin also serves as a mentor for the UCSF Fresno Doctor’s Academy, helping to encourage local students to go into the health care profession.

Joaquin is known as a team player with strong decision-making skills in the constantly fast-paced, high-stress environment of the ER.

As a doctor, he has been on the frontlines of some of the Valley’s most serious problems, and he sees every day the issues that impact the lives of Valley residents. He is committed to ensuring everyone gets the care they deserve, regardless of their social or economic status.

In the same way that Joaquin is dedicated to putting the care of his patients first, he always puts the people of the Central Valley above politics. In Sacramento, he is working tirelessly for our fair share of water and other resources, creating local jobs, supporting public education and ensuring quality health care.

Joaquin’s father, Juan Arambula, former school board member, Fresno County Supervisor and California Assembly member, is the son of migrant farm workers, who grew up working in the fields of the San Joaquin Valley. His mother, Amy, is a dedicated community advocate and attorney. They taught Joaquin and his siblings the importance of giving back to the community and instilled in them a deep commitment for helping those less fortunate.

Joaquin and his wife Elizabeth are teaching these same values to their three young daughters every day.

Lupe Espinoza was raised in the Central Valley; she and her family still live and work in Coalinga. After graduating, from Fresno state with a double major in Agricultural Education and Chicano/Latino studies, Lupe went on to earn her Master’s in Education and Counseling.

Lupe is a precollege program Project Director within the University of California system, where she gives valuable advice to students seeking their career path.

Lupe has volunteered at youth events, small business endeavors, and community fundraisers throughout her career.

As a candidate, Lupe seeks to lower the tax burden, fight legislation that is harmful to small businesses and communities, increase funding for after school programs and improve access to water for all residents of California. Additionally, Lupe wishes to increase funding for mental health services and improve rural support for our nation’s veterans.