Darshana Ramesh Patel (born 1974) is an American scientist and politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly for the 76th district since 2024.[1] A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as President of the Poway Unified School District and as a commissioner of the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.
Early life, education, and career
Patel was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Gujarati parents from India. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry with a minor in religious studies from Occidental College and a Ph.D. in biophysics from University of California, Irvine.[2][3][4]
Patel previously worked in oncology research at Genentech, where she researched new methods of cancer treatment and delivering chemotherapy.[5]
California Assembly
Patel was elected to the California State Assembly in 2024, defeating Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane.[6] She is the first Hindu woman to serve in the California State Legislature.[7]
In March 2025, Patel introduced a bill to close a loophole which made threats only illegal if they target specific individuals thus preventing the prosecution of threats made against institutions such as schools, places of worship, or medical facilities.[8] In June, Patel and Ash Kalra‘s bill to make Diwali a new state public holiday passed the assembly unanimously.[9]
Personal life
Patel lives in the Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhood of San Diego with her husband and three daughters.
Electoral history
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Kristie Bruce-Lane | 49,316 | 49.5 | |
| Democratic | Darshana Patel | 34,066 | 34.2 | |
| Democratic | Joseph Rocha | 16,312 | 16.4 | |
| Total votes | 99,694 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Darshana Patel | 113,242 | 54.0 | |
| Republican | Kristie Bruce-Lane | 96,358 | 46.0 | |
| Total votes | 209,600 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- ^ “California State Assembly District 76”. Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Amezcua, Claudia (May 9, 2022). “WATCH: Asian in America special”. KGTV. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Patel, Dharshana. “Darshana Patel LinkedIn”.
- ^ “Instagram”. www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ Sullivan Brennan, Deborah (March 14, 2025). “Sacramento Report: Q&A with Assemblymember Darshana Patel”. Voice of San Diego. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Place, Leo (November 13, 2024). “Patel, Boerner declare victory in state Assembly races”. The Coast News. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ Kamal, Sameea (March 7, 2024). “California could beat its record on women in the Legislature”. CalMatters. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ Hessedal, Kelly (March 14, 2025). “California bill aimed at closing school threat loophole advances in state legislature”. KFMB-TV. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Sharma, Abhinav (June 3, 2025). “California Assembly passes bill to recognize Diwali as official state holiday”. Diya TV. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ “March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election – State Assemblymember” (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ “November 5, 2024, General Election – State Assemblymember” (PDF). Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
