Member of the State Assembly, District 27

Mike Murphy is a Republican and a business attorney. He is the former two term mayor of Merced. As mayor he points to a balanced city budget. He also points to clean drinking water and safer routes to school. He has not served in the California Legislature or U.S. Congress.

He says Sacramento politicians have ignored the Central Valley for too long. During a candidate debate this year he called the state's high speed rail project a waste. He said its cost has grown far beyond what voters were told. He also criticized state building rules for making housing more expensive to build. He said he would balance immigration enforcement with compassion for farmworkers.

He promises to focus on public safety and lowering the cost of living. He also promises better transportation and health care access. He wants a reliable water supply. He says he would bring Merced's practical, executive experience to Sacramento.

Brian Pacheco is a Democrat and a fourth generation dairy farmer. He has been the Fresno County supervisor for District 1 since 2015. He says the county funded the Mendota Esperanza Commons affordable housing project during his tenure. He also points to street upgrades in Tranquility. He has not served in the California Legislature or U.S. Congress.

He says he decided to run because there is not one working farmer among the Legislature's 80 members. He also serves on the board of Community Regional Medical Center. He was involved in the county's response when Madera Community Hospital closed in 2023. That closure cut off emergency care for a large part of the region. He did not join Mike Murphy and Japjeet Singh Uppal in a candidate debate this spring.

He promises to focus on affordability and public safety. He also promises water quality and health care access for Central Valley families. He says his experience as a farmer and county supervisor means practical, common sense solutions instead of partisan fights.