In the News

Fresno Councilmember Annalisa Perea Launches Campaign for Assembly District 31

Perea enters the race with a substantial fundraising advantage and a coalition of support that includes labor, small businesses, and community leaders.

FRESNO, CA - Today, Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea officially announced her candidacy for Assembly District 31.  The district is currently represented by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, who is termed out in 2026, and is entirely in Fresno County.  

Councilmember Perea, who has served on the Fresno City Council since 2022, enters the race as a clear frontrunner with over $200,000 raised and amassed an array of key endorsements, including Senator Anna Caballero, Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, Fresno City Councilmembers Tyler Maxwell and Mike Karbassi, and the Fresno, Madera, Kings & Tulare Building and Construction Trades Council.

“I’m running for Assembly to fight for Central Valley families and to be the effective advocate in Sacramento this district has lacked for so long,” said Councilmember Annalisa Perea.  “In my time on the city council, I’ve seen firsthand how rising costs, violent crime, and out-of-touch politicians are hurting our working people, seniors, and our neighborhoods. In the Assembly, I will focus every day on the kitchen table issues that matter most to the people of our region.”

Under Annalisa’s leadership, the Fresno City Council has come together to deliver real results for the people of Fresno:

• She negotiated a landmark agreement that boosted city revenue without raising taxes

• Delivered a solution called “a game changer” to ease Fresno’s housing crisis

• Secured Federal funding to add 24 new firefighters and 12 new police officers

• Helped cut violent crime in half through community-oriented policing

• Reduced homelessness through housing, enforcement, and supportive services 

“Annalisa is focused on improving the lives of the people she represents,” said Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez. “She’s been a dedicated, effective council member. Visiting people in their neighborhoods. Listening to their challenges. Then, working diligently to address them. She’s intent on solving problems in our region.”   

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together in Fresno. But there is so much more that needs to be done on behalf of Central Valley families,” said Councilmember Annalisa Perea. “People are struggling, and our legislature must be urgently focused on bringing relief to Californians.”

“From day one, Annalisa has been focused on solutions for the Central Valley. She has a proven ability to bring opposing sides together to deliver real results, and she will bring that same effective leadership to Sacramento,” said Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria.

Annalisa Perea is a third-generation Central Valley native and lifelong resident of Assembly District 31. She served as City Council President in 2024 and led a bipartisan effort to bring millions of dollars back to Fresno taxpayers. Prior to serving on the Fresno City Council, she was elected to the State Center Community College board. Annalisa Perea is a certified city planner with expertise in the California Environmental Quality Act. Her work has led to the creation of hundreds of jobs and thousands of new homes across the Central Valley.