The Ballot Brief
San Diego County, California

California Assembly District 76

2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 76 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Darshana Patel and Carrie S. Espinoza Villanueva. Candidate information follows official San Diego County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Darshana Patel (Democratic) and Carrie S. Espinoza Villanueva (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot; Darshana Patel is the incumbent, per the Secretary of State's list. June 2 top-two primary result: Darshana Patel (DEM) 55.8 percent and Carrie S. Espinoza Villanueva (REP) 44.2 percent advanced, per the Secretary of State's Statement of Vote. California's top-two primary decides who prints in November; the field is the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates for the General Election (August 27, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Darshana Patel, is on the ballot.

California › San Diego County › California Assembly District 76

Darshana Patel

Darshana Patel

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • K-12 and higher education policy
  • Youth mental health treatment access
  • Educational equity for underserved students

Per the Assembly committee roster.

Biography

Darshana Patel is a research scientist who has represented San Diego County communities in the Assembly since 2024, chairing the Education Committee, per Patel's campaign site. Patel earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Occidental College and a doctorate in biophysics from UC Irvine before a career in biotechnology research, per the same source. Patel was elected as a trustee to the Poway Unified School District board in 2016 and reelected in 2020, per the campaign site.

Carrie S. Espinoza Villanueva

Republican

Top priorities
  • Reduce the cost of living through tax cuts and deregulation
  • Address homelessness and addiction
  • Align education with job market needs and protect retirees' savings from taxation

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Villanueva works at Palomar College supporting vocational trades programs including welding, automotive, diesel, HVAC and water technology, per the campaign site. She was raised in an agricultural family and has owned and managed small businesses in manufacturing, diesel remanufacturing, home rehabilitation and ranch operations, per the campaign site.

Next on your ballotCalifornia Assembly District 77

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for California Assembly District 76 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for California Assembly District 76 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Darshana Patel and Carrie S. Espinoza Villanueva. Candidate information follows official San Diego County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the California Assembly District 76 election in California?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for California are on the California election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact San Diego County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official San Diego County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official California election office, or see the full San Diego County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your San Diego County ballot

19 tracked races in San Diego County, California. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
California Assembly District 78California Assembly District 79California Assembly District 80See all 19 San Diego County races
Candidate profiles
Darshana Patel, full profileCarrie S. Espinoza Villanueva, full profileOfficial California election office