Annalisa PereaCandidate

Annalisa Perea

State HouseDemocrat

CA-AD31 State House

Mexican-American·Fresno City Councilmember, District 1 (2023-present)

Why This Race Matters

Annalisa Perea is running against Sandra Celedon (D, progressive nonprofit CEO with $320K+ outside PAC support), Esmeralda Hurtado (D, Sanger City Council), Jim Polsgrove (R).

Medium

Open seat after term-limited Joaquin Arambula (D). District is D+21 (44.4% Dem, 23.6% GOP registration). Perea leads fundraising ($300K) but faces significant outside spending supporting Celedon from Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California PAC ($320K+). If elected, would be first LGBTQ+ legislator from Central Valley.

Key dates to watch: Primary on June 2, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Fresno City Councilmember representing District 1 since January 2023. First openly LGBTQ+ member of Fresno City Council. Third generation of her family to serve on Fresno City Council. President of State Center Community College District Board of Trustees (elected 2018). Served as Council Vice President (2023) and Council President (2024). Named to OUT Magazine's 2023 Out100 list recognizing top LGBTQ+ leaders. New mother of twins. If elected to Assembly District 31, would be first LGBTQ+ legislator from the Central Valley.

Family & Heritage

Third-generation Mexican-American with deep roots in Fresno. Parents and grandparents were farmworkers in the Central Valley. Father Henry R. Perea served as Fresno County Supervisor; brother Henry T. Perea served on Fresno City Council (District 7) and California State Assembly (2010-2015). Part of a multi-generational Fresno political dynasty. Has been politically active since age 8, volunteering on her father's campaigns. Married wife Gabriela Gonzalez-Perea in October 2024. Mother of twins - daughter Luciana and son Julian.

Political Career

Before Politics

Senior Planner at QK (formerly Quad Knopf) since 2020, previously Associate Planner and Senior Associate Planner (2013-2020). AICP-certified urban planner working on environmental, economic, and community development issues for cities throughout California. Former Vice President of Central California Chapter of US Green Building Council. Former board member of Fresno REEL Pride Film Festival. Involved with Fresno Tower District Design Review.

Education

B.S. City and Regional Planning, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 2011; Fresno City College; Bullard High School, Fresno, 2005

Key Issues & Priorities

*Rising costs and cost of living
*Violent crime reduction and public safety
*Supporting working people, seniors, and neighborhoods
*Affordable housing
*Economic development
*Community-based policing
*Modernizing zoning ordinances

Endorsements

Senator Anna CaballeroPolitical
Assemblymember Esmeralda SoriaPolitical
Fresno City Councilmember Tyler MaxwellPolitical
Fresno City Councilmember Mike KarbassiPolitical
Equality CaliforniaAdvocacy
California Women's ListAdvocacy
Fresno, Madera, Kings & Tulare Building and Construction Trades CouncilLabor
Fresno Chamber of CommerceBusiness
Fresno City FirefightersLabor
Fresno City Employees AssociationLabor
SEIU Local 521Labor
SEIU Local 2015Labor
Ironworkers Local 155Labor
California Democratic Party (Pre-Endorsement)Political

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