Esmeralda Hurtado for State Senate
Esmeralda Hurtado is the daughter of farmworkers who taught her that hard work is not just a virtue — it’s survival. From them, she learned perseverance, responsibility, and that service is measured not by titles, but by sacrifice, integrity, and consistency.
Born and raised in Sanger, she entered the world in a hospital that closed shortly afterwards — a loss she didn’t understand as a child, but one she and her family lived. When she needed care, her mother drove long distances to Valley Children’s Hospital, stretching gas money, missing work, and hoping nothing went wrong on the road. Healthcare access was far. And families like hers paid the price.
Hospitals in rural communities don’t close because the need disappears. They close when private equity and corporate interests decide families aren’t profitable enough to serve. When profit outweighs people, valley families suffer. This is true in our agriculture community as well. This truth shaped Esmeralda’s purpose.
While finishing her degree in public health, she was appointed to the Sanger City Council in 2019, and then elected and re-elected in 2020 and 2024. She helped deliver the multi-million-dollar expansion of the city’s fire station, improving emergency response times, and led modernization of the wastewater treatment plant to protect public health and strengthen future growth. Outside of elected office, Esmeralda continues her public health work by responding to communities that are facing drought emergencies across our valley — ensuring families, schools, and local businesses have access to safe, reliable drinking water.
Now, Esmeralda is running for State Senate at a critical moment when the valley’s future hangs in the balance. Rising costs, water instability, the loss of agricultural jobs, and rapid technological change threaten to leave rural communities behind unlike ever before. Who represents Senate District 14 in the next decade will shape whether families fall through the cracks — or be given a shot to rise.
Esmeralda Hurtado is running to ensure the valley is not forgotten, not priced out, and not left behind. The valley deserves more than resilience —it deserves progress.
Join Team Hurtado
Endorsements
FORMER STATE SENATOR, JOSH NEWMAN
FORMER STATE SENATOR, RICHARD ROTH
STATE SENATOR, MELISSA HURTADO
ASSEMBLYMEMBER, Dr. JOAQUIN ARAMBULA
MAYOR OF COALINGA, NATHAN VOSBURG
MAYOR OF MADERA, CECE GALLEGOS
MAYOR OF PARLIER, ALMA BELTRAN
MAYOR OF ORANGE COVE, DIANA GUERRO SILVA
MAYOR OF SOUTHGATE, MARIA DE PILAR AVALOS
VICE MAYOR OF ORANGE COVE, GILBERT GARCIA
MANAGER OF DEL REY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, MARIA REYNA
DIRECTOR OF DEL REY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, JOAQUIN NUNEZ
DIRECTOR OF DEL REY COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, MARIA CISNEROS
CANDIDATE FOR STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 31 AND CEO OF BHC, SANDRA CELEDON
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY DEMOCRATIC CLUB
Map of Senate District 14
Esmeralda Hurtado Will Work to Deliver:
Cut red tape so Valley farmers, truckers, and small businesses can keep more of what they earn.
Protect groundwater and fight for fair water allocations so our kids inherit a Valley that still feeds the world.
Make housing attainable again for the teachers, nurses, farmworkers, and deputies who keep our communities running.
Restore trust in government by staying focused on people—not personal battles.
My Vision for Central Valley Families
Infrastructure Investments That Power Our Future
Our region has been overlooked for decades. It’s time to invest in the backbone of our economy and the safety of our neighborhoods. As your State Senator, I’ll champion:
Modernizing roads, bridges, and transportation corridors to support local businesses and reduce commute times
Expanding broadband access so every household, student, and small business stays connected
Supporting clean and reliable water infrastructure to secure the Central Valley’s future
Investing in flood control, air quality improvements, and climate-resilient infrastructure
Because the Central Valley deserves the same level of investment as every other region in California.
2. Affordable Housing & Stronger Communities
Every family deserves a safe and stable place to call home. As your State Senator, I’ll work to:
Expand affordable housing options for working families, seniors, and young people
Increase state support for cities building mixed-income neighborhoods
Crack down on corporate landlords driving up rent and displacing local families
Invest in community amenities—parks, public safety, libraries, senior services—that strengthen neighborhoods
A stronger Central Valley starts with stronger and more affordable communities.
3. Health Care That Reaches People Where They Are
Too many families still go without care because of distance, cost, or lack of access. As your State Senator, I’ll fight for:
More clinics, mobile health services, and rural health investments
Expanding access to mental health and addiction treatment
Ensuring Medi-Cal provides real access—not just a card but actual care
Strengthening partnerships with local hospitals and providers to reduce wait times
Addressing environmental pollution that disproportionately impacts our children
Health care should feel like compassion, not a transaction.
4. Education That Opens Doors
Our students deserve more than the bare minimum. They deserve opportunity. As your State Senator, I’ll champion:
Fully funding public schools so every child has access to quality teachers and safe, modern campuses
Expanding career technical education, apprenticeships, and pathways to good-paying jobs
Making college and trade programs more affordable and accessible
Investing in early childhood education so every child has a strong start
Supporting rural schools that have been historically underfunded
Education should open every door—and lead to brighter futures.
“Esmeralda Hurtado knows what it means to lead in the Valley — where every drop of water and every decision matters. As a councilmember, she’s fought to bring water to families and rural communities that Sacramento too often forgets. She’s tough, compassionate, and never afraid to stand up for us.”
-ALMA M. BELTRAN, Mayor of the City of Parlier
“I know Esmeralda Hurtado will fight for us every single day. She listens to our communities, leads with compassion, and never backs down when it comes to doing what’s right. Esmeralda Hurtado has the courage and commitment we can trust to make the tough decisions that move the valley forward.”
-CECE GALLEGOS, Mayor of the City of Madera
“Having served in the State Senate, I know how tough it is to make real progress on issues like affordability, jobs, and equity. Esmeralda Hurtado is the kind of leader who can get it done. She understands the challenges Californians face and brings practical, compassionate leadership focused on solutions. Esmeralda will fight to lower costs, expand job training, and invest in local industries that create lasting prosperity in the Valley. That’s why I’m proud to endorse her for State Senate.”
-JOSH NEWMAN, Former State Senator District 29
CONTRIBUTE
Paid for by Esmeralda Hurtado for State Senate 2026 FPPC ID#1484776
CONNECT
esmeralda@esmeraldahurtado.com