Avelino Valencia
Avelino Valencia | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 68th district | |
| Assumed office December 5, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Steven Choi (redistricted) |
| Member of the Anaheim City Council for the 4th district | |
| In office December 8, 2020 – December 5, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Lucille Kring |
| Succeeded by | Norma Campos Kurtz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 12, 1988 |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Fullerton College (A.S.) San Jose State University (B.A.) Johns Hopkins University (MPA) |
| Profession | Politician |
Avelino Valencia (born November 12, 1988) is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as a member of the California State Assembly for the 68th district since 2022. Previously, he was a member of the Anaheim City Council.
Early life and career
Valencia was born on November 12, 1988, in Anaheim, California, to parents of Mexican descent.[1] He attended Katella High School, Fullerton College, San Jose State University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Playing for the 2009 San Jose State Spartans football team, he made a single reception for seven yards.[2][3]
He worked for Assemblyman Tom Daly as a political staffer from 2016 to 2022.[4]
Political career
In 2020, Valencia ran for Anaheim City Council to replace the termed-out Lucille King, winning the election against Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustee President Annemarie Randle-Trejo and activist Jeannine Robbins.[5]
In 2022, California State Assembly member Tom Daly announced his retirement and the district was redistricted, leaving no incumbent in the 2022 election. Valencia announced his campaign for Assembly against three other politicians.[6][7] In the primary, he and Republican Mike Tardif advanced to the general election, where Valencia led Tardif in the votes and was elected as a member of the Assembly.[8][9]
In December 2024, Valencia announced that in 2026 he will run for the California State Senate to replace termed out Senator Tom Umberg.[10]
Electoral history
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avelino Valencia | 7,861 | 50.62 | |
| Annemarie Randle-Trejo | 3,541 | 22.80 | |
| Jeanine A. Robbins | 3,349 | 21.56 | |
| Julie Brunette | 779 | 5.02 | |
| Total votes | 15,530 | 100.0 | |
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Avelino Valencia | 22,635 | 48.3 | |
| Republican | Mike Tardif | 11,034 | 23.5 | |
| Democratic | Bulmaro Vicente | 7,029 | 15.0 | |
| Republican | James Wallace | 6,189 | 13.2 | |
| Total votes | 46,887 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Avelino Valencia | 49,385 | 62.3 | |
| Republican | Mike Tardif | 29,910 | 37.7 | |
| Total votes | 79,295 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Avelino Valencia (incumbent) | 28,985 | 58.8 | |
| Republican | Mike Tardif | 20,320 | 41.2 | |
| Total votes | 49,305 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Avelino Valencia (incumbent) | 84,259 | 63.7 | |
| Republican | Mike Tardif | 47,975 | 36.3 | |
| Total votes | 132,234 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- ^ Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (November 8, 2022). "Election 2022: Avelino Valencia takes early lead over Mike Tardif in AD-68 race". The Orange County Register.
- ^ "Avelino Valencia Career Stats - NCAAF". ESPN.
- ^ "Avelino Valencia College Stats". Sports Reference.
- ^ Arellano, Gustavo (May 29, 2022). "Column: In Orange County, an Assembly seat fight for the future of Latino politics". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Pimentel, Joseph (November 19, 2020). "Hit the Ground Running: Presumptive District 4 Anaheim City Councilman Avelino Valencia is Ready to Serve". Spectrum News 1.
- ^ Custodio, Spencer (March 10, 2022). "Assemblyman Tom Daly Won't Seek Reelection; Could a Progressive Take His Spot?". Voice of OC.
- ^ Robinson, Alicia (May 6, 2022). "Elections 2022: Meet the four candidates running for the 68th Assembly District". The Orange County Register.
- ^ Elattar, Hosam (June 7, 2022). "2022 Primary Election Night Results: State Races". Voice of OC.
- ^ Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (December 1, 2022). "Election 2022: Avelino Valencia set to represent Orange County district in Assembly". The Orange County Register.
- ^ San Román, Gabriel (December 28, 2024). "The future of O.C. Latino politics is on the ballot as 2026 races shape up". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "June 7, 2022, Primary Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "November 8, 2022, General Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ "November 5, 2024, General Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 21, 2025.