Joaquin Arambula, currently the Democratic Assemblymember for California’s 31st Assembly District, is running for Fresno City Council District 3 in the November 2026 election against Keshia Thomas, for the seat being vacated by termed-out Councilmember Miguel Arias. Arambula, an emergency room physician by training, is leaving the Assembly because his service, which began through a 2016 special election, will hit the state’s 12-year legislative term limit in 2026. He led the June 2026 primary with about 30% of the vote in a seven-candidate field and has raised more than $116,000 for the race, drawing endorsements from the Fresno Teachers Association, the Fresno City Employees Association, and the Central Labor Council. His campaign has centered on inclusive economic development, affordable housing, lowering energy costs, and infrastructure improvements in southwest and downtown Fresno, though the Fresno County Democratic Party notably declined to endorse any candidate in the race, denying Arambula the local party’s backing.
