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Headshot of Esmeralda Soria

Esmeralda Soria

Democrat, State Assembly
District 27, Merced
Time in office:
  • Assembly: 2022-present

News coverage of Esmeralda Soria

Bio

Esmeralda Soria, 44, is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and worked with them in the Central Valley’s agricultural fields. She graduated from UC Berkeley, earned a law degree from UC Davis, worked briefly as a lobbyist for a non-profit and became a member of the Fresno City Council. She was the first Latina council president in Fresno. In 2020, she ran for Congress against incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Costa and lost in the primary. In the Assembly, she has worked to secure funds to re-open rural hospitals.

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 37 bills:
7 Passed
10 Failed
20 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 37 bills: 7 passed, 10 failed, and 20 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx%votes: xx

Influence

There are three categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.

Giver
Value
Date
Description
Western States Petroleum Association$692.76Dec 13, 2022Food & Drinks*
University of California Merced Foundation$110Dec 9, 2022Food & Drink
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians$108.39Sep 30, 2022Food & Drinks
Rivas for Assembly 2022$107.22Oct 2, 2022Food & Drinks
Urban Associates, inc.$99.7Jun 25, 2022NALEO Architecture Tour
Dr. Juan Munoz, University of California Merced$67.83Dec 13, 2022Holiday Wreath
California Democratic Party$61.78Nov 9, 2022Centerplate

Gifts

Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.

Gift Received Rating
#51/120

This legislator is ranked 51st highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Esmeralda Soria

AB 1913
Licensure: emergency equipment.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety

In Progress
Licensure: emergency equipment.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety
ACR 188
California’s Farm Week.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Rules

In Progress
California’s Farm Week.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Rules
AB 1923
Distressed Hospital Loan Program.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health

In Progress
Distressed Hospital Loan Program.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
AB 2010
Veterinary medicine: veterinary surgery premises: spay and neuter services.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions

In Progress
Veterinary medicine: veterinary surgery premises: spay and neuter services. Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions
View All Bills

Committees

Most of the policy work in the state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees. Legislators also work on budget subcommittees. There are also “Special” and “Select” committees with a more narrow topic focus. And there are “Joint” committees with members from the Senate and Assembly.

Hearings

Featured Comments

Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

Preview image for AB 19135MIN
May 14, 2026

AB 1913

Licensure: emergency equipment.

Preview image for AB 270657SEC
May 14, 2026

AB 2706

Acidified foods and low-acid foods.

Preview image for AB 27532MIN
May 7, 2026

AB 2753

Elective office: sex offenders.

Preview image for AB 26392MIN
Apr 22, 2026

AB 2639

Merced County Flood Control District: local government coordination.

Preview image for AB 192318MIN
Apr 21, 2026

AB 1923

Distressed Hospital Loan Program.

Preview image for AB 201017MIN
Apr 21, 2026

AB 2010

Veterinary medicine: veterinary surgery premises: spay and neuter services.

Preview image for AB 230135MIN
Apr 21, 2026

AB 2301

Community colleges: Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing Pilot Program.

Preview image for AB 22767MIN
Apr 21, 2026

AB 2276

Vehicles: active intelligent speed assistance devices.

Preview image for HR 9916MIN
Apr 20, 2026

HR 99

No Bills Identified

Preview image for AB 275326MIN
Apr 15, 2026

AB 2753

Elective office: sex offenders.

Preview image for AB 27395MIN
Apr 14, 2026

AB 2739

Water: affordability and system stabilization.

Preview image for AB 248110MIN
Apr 13, 2026

AB 2481

Beverage containers: recycling: glass: quality incentive payments.

View All Hearings

District

View of map with yellow overlay for Assembly District 27 boundaries.
District 27 is a Leans Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election (2024):

Esmeralda Soria
53.9%
WON
Joanna Garcia Rose
46.1%

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age0102030

Median age