Assemblymember Darshana Patel, Assembly District 76
 
Community to Capitol District News
March, 2025

Hello Assembly District 76 and Happy Women’s History Month. I’m your representative Dr. Darshana Patel and we have many exciting things happening this month throughout District 76 including a webinar covering how you can protect yourself in the event of catastrophic fire loss, our Distinguished Woman of the Year Honoree announcement, and an update on important legislation I’m working on.

Did You Know?

Assembly District 76 includes 471,668 people including the cities of Escondido, San Marcos, and portions of northern San Diego, as well as the unincorporated areas of Del Dios, Elfin Forest, Fairbanks Ranch, Harmony Grove, Lake San Marcos, and Rancho Santa Fe.

The Kumeyaay (also known as Diegueño or Mission Indians), Luiseño, Cupeño, and Cahuilla are the four primary tribal groups indigenous to the area. With 18 reservations covering approximately 198 square miles, San Diego County hosts the largest number of Indian reservations in the United States.

AD76 Patel Map of Southern California displaying San Diego County with Assembly District 76 boundaries highlighted.
Map of Southern California displaying San Diego County with Assembly District 76 boundaries highlighted

Legislative Update

It is important to me that I work on legislation that matters to you. Do you have an idea for a bill? You can submit that idea here. Earlier this year, I introduced AB 237 to close a loophole in existing law that will protect our families and communities. This bill makes it a crime to threaten harm to a daycare, school, university, workplace, house of worship, medical facility, or public venue with reckless disregard for safety.

As the only Assemblymember to have both requested and been granted membership in all three Education Committees, I am proud to have introduced two new education-related bills. AB 402 enables more students to attend college with Cal Grant money. AB 279 updates school library standards so they can remain advanced centers of learning and inspiration in our public schools.

I have lent my support as a co-author to numerous resolutions promoting awareness of important topics including: Maternal Health Awareness Day, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, Black History Month, Desert Ecosystems, National School Counseling Week, Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Community to Capitol

Recently, the Assembly honored our teachers of the year. I was thrilled to meet them during their Sacramento visit.

AD76 Patel Group photo of Assemblymembers including Dr. Darshana Patel third from left along with Teacher of the Year honorees on the Assembly floor. The Assembly floor has green carpet with gold draperies in the background and stately wooden desks in the foreground
Dr. Darshana Patel with Teacher of the Year honorees on the Assembly floor


To raise awareness of the impact of heart disease in women, I joined the Legislative Women's Caucus on National Wear Red Day. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women. I wore red in solidarity with my colleagues to bring awareness to the support women need to combat heart disease.

AD76 Patel A group photo of Legislative Women's Caucus members of the Assembly dressed in red attire photographed on the Assembly floor in front of the Speaker's dais. Dr. Darshana Patel, front row, fifth from right, wears a red pantsuit. American flag at left and California State Flag at right, flank the Speaker's dais
Legislative Women's Caucus members wearing red on the Assembly floor


I spoke in support of Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins’ Assembly Concurrent Resolution designating January 23, 2025 as Maternal Health Awareness Day. More than 700 women die each year as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications. Maternal mortality rates are higher for women of color. I proudly stood with my San Diego colleague to draw attention to the efforts that have improved maternal health in California and spotlight the continued work that needs to be done.

AD76 Patel Dr. Darshana Patel speaks from behind a podium with microphone in three quarter profile on the Assembly floor. The Assemblymember is visible from the waist up and holds an electronic tablet. She is wearing a periwinkle jacket with a floral blouse.
Dr. Darshana Patel speaking on the Assembly floor

Local Women Making History

The National Women’s History Alliance established March as National Women’s History Month to recognize and uplift the contributions of women to our nation’s history. A Congressional resolution first established Women’s History Week in 1981. Six years later, Congress expanded the recognition and the month of March became National Women’s History Month.

Assembly District 76 is fortunate to have so many women leaders making history and is proud to announce Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey as the 2025 Assembly District 76 Distinguished Woman of the Year Honoree. Dr. Rivera-Lacey is the President and Superintendent of Palomar College, one of California’s largest single-community college districts. She is dedicated to social justice and student access. Her accomplishments include Wheelhouse Institute on Leadership, National Community College Hispanic Council, Aspen Institute Rising Presidents Fellowships, and a second-degree black belt in karate.

AD76 Patel Headshot of Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey smiling in three quarter profile with a black background and wearing a black dress with colorful embroidered flowers.
Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey

Dr. Rivera-Lacey will be recognized on the Assembly Floor along with Distinguished Women from all over California in Sacramento March 10th.

Capitol to Community

I was honored to have California State Treasurer Fiona Ma administer the Oath of Office at my Community Swearing-In Ceremony. It was a day surrounded by friends, neighbors, and loved ones full of celebration and joy.

AD76 Patel Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel at left in three quarter profile wearing a teal suit with right hand raised, received the Oath of Office. She is smiling in front of a large audience on an elevated stage. State Treasurer Fiona Ma at right in three quarter profile wearing a grey suit administers the Oath of Office. Tropical plants and a California state flag in background. Audience members at tables in foreground.
Dr. Darshana Patel receiving the Oath of Office from State Treasurer Fiona Ma

AD76 Patel Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel stands behind a podium and microphone delivers an address to attendees at the Community Swearing-In Ceremony. Assemblymember is photographed in ¾ profile from the waist up. American flag and tropical plants in background.
Dr. Darshana Patel delivering an address at the Community Swearing-In Ceremony


I loved the chance to catch up with the Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County and California Women's List at their Board retreat in San Diego. They asked great questions and were very interested in my vision for education and the environment.

AD76 Patel Group photo of individuals of Asian descent in three rows with Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel second row, third from right wearing a pink jacket and grey pants. Post-it notes and large papers with writing on them are hung on the wall behind the people.
Dr. Darshana Patel with Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County,
and California Women's List


I am grateful to have been honored by the San Diego organization Run Women Run at their event, Honoring our Leaders. Run Women Run is a nonpartisan organization that inspires, recruits, and trains qualified pro-choice women to seek elected and appointed office.

AD76 Patel Group photo of four women in a room with pink lighting and pink walls. Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel is far right wearing a black overcoat, red sweater, and red and black scarf. A white neon sign in the background reads Thank you for being a friend in handwritten-looking script.
Dr. Darshana Patel at Run Women Run event "Honoring Our Leaders"

Mark Your Calendars

In the wake of the devastating wildfires impacting our neighbors to the North and fires in our own District, I have heard concerns from many constituents about protecting their families and property from catastrophe. Our office will be hosting a live webinar on March 3rd in collaboration with the California Department of Insurance. The broadcast will be available on my website for those who cannot join the live event. If you are interested in attending this informative event, please RSVP to asmdc.org/jx-events.

AD76 Patel Graphic depicting logistics of the upcoming Catastrophic Insurance Webinar. The event will be held online March 3rd, 6:30-7:30. RSVP to asmdc.org/jx-events


March 8th is International Women's Day

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day

Our office will be closed Monday, March 31st, for the Federal commemorative holiday recognizing American labor leader Cesar Chavez. Following service in the United States Navy, Cesar Estrada Chavez (1927-1993), along with Dolores Huerta (b. 1930), co-founded United Farm Workers of America (UFW) to address the poverty, exploitation, and hazardous working conditions encountered by migrant workers.

“The love for justice that is in us is not only the best part of our being, but it is also the most true to our nature.” – Cesar Chavez

AD76 Patel Graphic depicting prominent rendering of Cesar Chavez's face in realistic style with green- and pink-toned images of groups of migrant workers carrying flags and placards in support of workers' rights in background of graphic. Text on graphic reads, Cesar Chavez Day

How Can We Help?

AD76 Group photo of Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel centered, smiling, with two staff members on each side, and tropical plants in background.
Left to Right: Ross Pike, Field Representative, Emily Berry, Chief of Staff, Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel, Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, District Director, Gonzalo Rocha-Vasquez, Field Representative

Our office is open and serving constituents in a number of ways. You can contact us by completing the form on our website, calling, emailing, or stopping by our office. We are here to help! We are proud to be open during hours that serve working people 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

AD76 Screenshot of Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel's contact form from the Website. It contains fillable fields such as name, address, other contact information, and drop-down issue selection options. The Capitol office contact information in Sacramento is State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0076, 916-319-2076 (phone), 916-319-2176 (fax). The District office contact information in Rancho Bernardo is 12396 World Trade Drive, Suite 118, San Diego, CA 92128, 858-675-0760 (phone) 858-675-0688 (fax).

What can we do for you? My office’s job is to connect you with resources and help solve problems. Here are some recent ways we have helped constituents:

  • Recovered over $100,000 in owed unemployment benefits for constituents
  • Facilitated a notary commission renewal through the Secretary of State
  • Helped a foster child’s family correct a birth certificate
  • Worked with the California Department of Justice to bring a local charity into compliance, enabling them to continue receiving grant funding
  • Recognized local students for their character and academic accomplishments
  • Awarded certificates of appreciation to local businesses and organizations for good work in the community

Please reach out to us!

In Service,

ad76 patel signature
Dr. Darshana R. Patel
Assemblymember, District 76

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory and homelands of the Luiseño/Payómkawichum people. For more information please go to www.csusm.edu/cicsc.


Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  website  Contact
Capitol Office:
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0076
Phone: (916) 319-2076
Fax: (916) 319-2176
District Office:
12396 World Trade Drive, Suite 118
San Diego, CA 92128
Phone: (858) 675-0760
Fax: (858) 675-0688
© 2025 California State Assembly