Avelino Valencia
Candidate for State Senate District 34
Avelino Valencia is a Democrat in the California State Assembly. He is in District 68. That covers Anaheim, Orange, and Santa Ana. He has held the seat since December 2022. Before that, he was on the Anaheim City Council. He served District 4, from 2020 to 2022. Earlier, Valencia worked in California state government. He worked as a staffer for former Assemblymember Tom Daly. He briefly played college football. He then tried out for pro football. After that, he moved into public service. He holds an associate degree from Fullerton College. He also holds a bachelor's degree in political science. That degree is from San Jose State University. He holds a master's degree in public administration, too. It is from Johns Hopkins University. In the Assembly, he now chairs the Banking and Finance Committee. In 2026 he is running for the open State Senate District 34 seat. That seat is open. Termed-out incumbent Tom Umberg, a Democrat, is leaving it. Valencia placed first in the June 2026 primary, with 92,826 votes (65.2%). Republican Rhonda Shader placed second with 49,569 (34.8%). Home: Anaheim, California, in Orange County. Occupation: California State Assemblymember, District 68. He chairs the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee. Prior office: He now serves Assembly District 68. He has served since 2022. Before that, he served on Anaheim City Council District 4, from 2020 to 2022. He is not an incumbent in the State Senate race.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Supports policies to create well-paying jobs with benefits as part of his campaign platform, though without specific legislative detail on minimum wage, labor law, or business regulation.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Emphasizes addressing the rising cost of living (gas, groceries, essentials) and pledges fiscally responsible management of the state budget and tax dollars.
Source → - Housing & Homelessness
Supports building more housing stock and expanding first-time homeowner assistance programs; as an Assemblymember he has served on a budget subcommittee examining homelessness spending.
Source → - Health & Health Care
Supports improving healthcare access and expanding comprehensive coverage as a general campaign priority.
Source → - Education & Schools
Prioritizes fully funding public schools, improving teacher recruitment, and expanding access to higher education by lowering costs and increasing student support.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports combating climate change and improving air quality as a general campaign priority.
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Has authored legislation aimed at increasing government transparency and campaign finance/ethics reform, including a bill requiring public officials to disclose significant cryptocurrency holdings, framed as closing a gap in existing financial disclosure law; campaign platform also pledges to fight corruption and increase government transparency.
Source →
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