Candidates for California State Assembly — District 71
2026 Primary Election — June 2, 2026
District 71 covers Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch, Coto de Caza, Trabuco Canyon, Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, and French Valley — spanning Orange and Riverside counties. Voter registration: 40.5% Republican, 29.9% Democrat, 21.4% No Party Preference. A reliably Republican seat — Sanchez won re-election in 2024 with 61.5% of the vote. California uses a top-two primary; the top two advance to November 3.
Kate Sanchez Rep Age 37 Incumbent
Assemblywoman, AD-71 • Mission Viejo / Temecula
Incumbent Assemblywoman since 2022. BA in political science/law from Salve Regina University. Small business owner and former nonprofit executive. Served as Executive Director of the California Women's Leadership Association, legislative staff for the U.S. House, and worked at the California Policy Center. Has never voted for a tax increase. Authored bills to cut the gas tax, reduce the sales tax rate by 1%, create a childcare tax credit, and increase penalties for organized retail theft. Serves as Vice-Chair of Revenue & Taxation and sits on Health, Judiciary, and Rules committees. Won the open seat in 2022 (51.3% in an R-vs-R general) and re-elected in 2024 with 61.5% against a Democratic challenger. Raised ~$625K in 2024 and ~$414K so far in 2026.[1]
Top Issues / Platform
- Cost of living: Authored AB 53 (suspend gas tax), AB 1724 (reduce sales tax by 1%), AB 14 (childcare tax credit), and AB 46 (military retirement tax exclusion). Never voted for a tax increase
- Public safety: Authored AB 75 (increased penalties for shoplifting and organized retail theft), AB 88 (crime victim rights), AB 257 (anti-camping buffer zones near schools/parks)
- Parental rights: Advocate for transparency in schools and parental involvement in education decisions
- Small business: AB 306 (one-stop capital shop for small businesses); endorsed by NFIB as an "exceptional friend of small business"
- Budget discipline: Cut wasteful spending, eliminate redundant programs, oppose budgeting gimmicks
Key Endorsements
- California Republican Party
- California Professional Firefighters
- NFIB California PAC
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (high score)
- California Chamber of Commerce
Strengths ▲
- Incumbent with strong electoral record — won by 23 points in 2024
- Safe Republican district (R+10.6 registration advantage)
- Legislative productivity: multiple bills passed on taxes, public safety, and schools
- Significant fundraising advantage — outraising opponent by a wide margin
- Authentic small business and family-focused messaging resonates in suburban district
Weaknesses ▼
- Relatively new to the Legislature (first elected 2022) — still building seniority and influence
- District is geographically large spanning two counties (Orange and Riverside) with different local concerns
- Some of her tax-cut bills face long odds in a Democratic-controlled legislature — more symbolic than achievable
JJ Galvez Dem Age ~34 Challenger
Technology Consultant, Park Board Trustee • Silverado Canyon
Immigrant from Honduras who came to California for college. Earned a BA from Loyola Marymount University (2014). Built a career in technology consulting for startups and large companies. Appointed as Treasurer and Director of the Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District Board. Lives in Silverado Canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains with his wife and two dogs, where wildfires and floods are a fact of life. Completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, outlining a pragmatic, centrist platform focused on lowering costs, AI-resilient jobs, and unity. Endorsed by the California Democratic Party, Equality California, Congressman Mike Levin, Assemblymembers Corey Jackson and Cottie Petrie-Norris, and State Treasurer Fiona Ma.[7]
Top Issues / Platform
- Lowering cost of living: Tackle housing, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and insurance costs without raising taxes on working families. Prioritize removing regulatory bottlenecks and updating outdated rules
- AI-resilient jobs: Expand career pathways to skilled trades and caregiving — roles resistant to automation. Rethink workforce redevelopment and unemployment support for the AI era
- Unity & community: Govern for everyone regardless of party. Rebuild faith in the American Dream through practical, non-ideological solutions
- Education: Invest in civics, ethics, and skills-based learning as the foundation of opportunity
- Wildfire preparedness: Personal experience living in a wildfire-prone area informs his focus on emergency management and community resilience
Key Endorsements
- California Democratic Party
- Equality California
- California Young Democrats
- U.S. Congressman Mike Levin
- Assemblymember Corey Jackson
- Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris
- State Treasurer Fiona Ma
- Iranian American Democrats of California
- Mission Viejo Councilmember Cynthia Vasquez
- Saddleback Valley USD Trustee Suzie Swartz
Strengths ▲
- Compelling personal story — immigrant who achieved the California Dream — resonates with Latino and immigrant communities (district is ~30% Latino)
- Technology background brings a fresh, forward-looking perspective on AI, workforce, and modernization of government
- Pragmatic, centrist tone ("more unites us than divides us") could appeal to NPP and moderate Republican voters
- Strong endorsement list from party leaders and local elected officials for a first-time candidate
Weaknesses ▼
- First-time candidate with no legislative or elected experience beyond a park board appointment
- Running in a district that is R+10.6 — a steep climb for any Democrat
- Significant fundraising disadvantage vs. the incumbent (Sanchez has $414K+; Galvez's fundraising appears minimal)
- District has never elected a Democrat to this seat in its current configuration
- Needs to define himself vs. Sanchez; low name ID outside Silverado Canyon and Democratic activist circles
Race Summary & Outlook
A classic incumbent vs. challenger matchup in a Republican-leaning district. Key dynamics:
- Kate Sanchez (R) is the strong favorite for re-election. She has a proven electoral track record (61.5% in 2024), significant fundraising advantage, and represents a district where Republicans hold a 10.6-point registration edge. Her legislative record on tax cuts and public safety aligns well with the district's priorities.
- JJ Galvez (D) is a credible but long-shot challenger. His personal story as an immigrant and technology professional offers a fresh contrast, and his endorsement list shows Democratic Party investment in the race. However, the district fundamentals are heavily against him.
- Only two candidates filed, so both advance to November regardless of the June 2 primary result.
Likely outcome: Safe Republican. Sanchez is well-positioned to hold this seat. The primary is a formality; both candidates advance to the general where Sanchez will be favored to win a third term.
Primary: June 2, 2026 — General: November 3, 2026