LOS BANOS, CA (October 31, 2025) — Sanger City Councilmember Esmeralda Hurtado has announced her candidacy for California’s 14th State Senate District, officially shifting her campaign from the State Assembly to the Senate race. Hurtado was first elected in 2020 as the youngest woman ever to serve on the Sanger City Council and was reelected in 2024 when she ran unopposed. The district covers a large portion of the Central Valley, including Fresno, Madera, and Merced Counties — which encompasses the city of Los Banos.
The District 14 seat is currently held by Senator Anna Caballero, whose second and final term will end in 2026. The filing period for the June 2026 primary election opens on February 9, 2026. Hurtado will face two other declared Democratic candidates: Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria and Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza. All three are vying to represent one of the most diverse and agriculturally important regions in California.
Hurtado said in her announcement that her campaign is “about people and families who deserve fairness, opportunity, and a leader who will always put them first.” If elected, she would represent Los Banos and other Central Valley communities in Sacramento.
