Patrick Ahrens
Patrick Ahrens | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 26th district | |
| Assumed office December 2, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Evan Low |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Patrick James Ahrens[1] September 12, 1989 San Jose, California, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | De Anza College University of California, Los Angeles San Jose State University (MPA) |
| Website | Legislative website |
Patrick James Ahrens (born September 12, 1989) is an American politician who is a member of the California State Assembly for the 26th district since 2024. A Democrat, he served on the Foothill–De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees and as a district director for his predecessor, Evan Low.[2][3]
Early life and education
Ahrens grew up in household that struggled with substance abuse and he experienced homelessness while attending college.[4][2] Ahrens was the first person in his family to attend college, graduating with an associate degree from De Anza College, a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California Los Angeles, and a Master of Public Administration from San Jose State University.[5] He was a graduate of the federal Head Start program.[6]
Career
Ahrens worked for U.S. Representative Janice Hahn in Washington, D.C., where he met Evan Low.[4] He would go on to serve as a district director for Low.[7] In 2014, he served as field director then campaign manager of Paul Fong's unsuccessful bid for the San Jose City Council.[8]
He was first elected to the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees in 2018 and selected as president of the board on December 13, 2021.[9]
California State Assembly
Ahrens ran for the California State Assembly in the 26th district in 2024 to succeed incumbent Evan Low, who ran for the U.S. House of Representatives.[5] He advanced to the general election with fellow Democrat Tara Sreekrishnan, a Santa Clara County School Board Trustee and legislative staffer to state Senator Dave Cortese.[10] The race attracted $3.7 million in outside spending including $2 million boosting Ahrens.[11][12] Ahrens defeated Sreekrishnan receiving 56% of votes cast (76,807) compared to her 44% of votes cast (60,392) in the general election.[3][13]
Tenure
On October 5, 2025, governor Gavin Newsom signed Ahrens' bill repealing the state's ability to charge parents of chronically truant students with a misdemeanor.[14] In a The Sacramento Bee opinion piece published on October 15, 2025, Ahrens and Republican assemblymember Heather Hadwick called on the U.S. Congress to fully fund the Head Start program.[6] In December 2025, Ahrens issued a statement condemning the California State University Board of Trustees' decision to raise the system's administrators salaries, which he stated were already too high.[15]
Personal life
Ahrens had a twin brother, Sean, who died of cancer.[2]
Electoral history
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Patrick Ahrens | 25,057 | 34.4 | |
| Democratic | Tara Sreekrishnan | 19,617 | 26.9 | |
| Republican | Sophie Yan Song | 15,965 | 21.9 | |
| Democratic | Omar Din | 8,779 | 12.1 | |
| Libertarian | Bob Goodwyn | 2,172 | 3.0 | |
| No party preference | Ashish Garg | 1,221 | 1.7 | |
| Total votes | 72,811 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Patrick Ahrens | 76,807 | 56.0 | |
| Democratic | Tara Sreekrishnan | 60,392 | 44.0 | |
| Total votes | 137,199 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- ^ Kirby, Edwin (January 25, 2025). "Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens Introduces Legislation to Reduce Barriers to Higher Education for At-Risk Youth" (PDF) (Press release). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c Cannestra, B. Sakura (November 5, 2024). "Patrick Ahrens leads in Assembly District 26 race". San Jose Spotlight. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Hase, Grace (November 6, 2024). "Assembly District 26: Patrick Ahrens leads Tara Sreekrishnan to replace Assemblymember Evan Low". The Mercury News. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Sharma, Kritika (March 23, 2023). "From public education to public service, Patrick Ahrens advocates for equity". La Voz. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Scrivens, Vincent (February 21, 2024). "Race for assembly in Cupertino's district". La Voz. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Ahrens, Patrick; Hadwick, Heather (October 15, 2025). "A bipartisan call: Congress must fund critical Head Start program". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ Cannestra, B. Sakura (September 23, 2024). "Election 2024: Assembly District 26 director ready to move up". San José Spotlight. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ "Campaign manager for Paul Fong resigns over mailer". KGO-TV. September 24, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ Morgan, Zoe (December 14, 2021). "Patrick Ahrens picked as Foothill-De Anza's board president, Laura Casas as vice president". Palo Alto Online. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ White, Jeremy; Korte, Lara; Gardiner, Dustin (October 29, 2024). "5 Democratic family feuds to watch on Election Day". Politico. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Hase, Grace (November 4, 2024). "Assembly District 26 race captures the attention of outside groups that have spent nearly $3.7 million". The Mercury News. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Cannestra, B. Sakura (September 30, 2024). "Special interests back Silicon Valley candidates for state office". San Jose Spotlight. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Weber, Shirley. "Statement of Vote" (PDF). California Secretary of State. p. 9. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Newsom Signs Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens' Legislation Repealing California Penal Code Misdemeanor Charge for Parents of Truant Students, Ahrens Says, "Families and Kids Need Support, Not Criminal Charges and Fines"". Sierra Sun Times. October 5, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ "How CSU Trustees Got Duped Into Approving Huge Base Salary Increases for Presidents (Using CSU Operating Funds)". California Faculty Association. December 11, 2025. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ "March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ "November 5, 2024, General Election - State Assemblymember" (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved October 1, 2025.