Voters in Assembly District 13, which includes Tracy and Mountain House in western San Joaquin County, are preparing to elect their representative for the state Assembly. The race features incumbent Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, D-Stockton, seeking re-election, against challenger Tom Patti, R-Stockton. Ransom highlights her legislative record and efforts to secure state funding for the Central Valley, while Patti focuses on lowering taxes and reducing regulations across California.
Assemblymember Ransom, who has represented the district since 2024, seeks a second term to continue advocating for the Central Valley and delivering resources to a region she believes is often overlooked by state government. She stated her belief that the community deserves effective leadership focused on delivering results. If re-elected, her top priorities include addressing affordability and sustainability in the Central Valley, expanding educational and workforce opportunities—particularly career technical education—and serving as a dedicated advocate for the region.
During her first term, 17 bills supported by Ransom were signed into law. These include Assembly Bill 899, known as the “Buy California Glass” bill, aimed at protecting union jobs and the state’s wine industry. She also authored Assembly Bill 2032, the Golden Mussel Response Act, which provides California water agencies with tools to quickly respond to invasive species in waterways and critical water infrastructure. This bill builds on $6 million she secured in the 2026-27 state budget for Delta decontamination control sites. Ransom is also working on legislation to reform the Public Utilities Commission to address high utility costs and to expand access to E85, an ethanol fuel blend, to make life more affordable for residents. Additionally, her advocacy led to about $4 million in state funding for San Joaquin County schools in District 13 following changes to the state’s funding formula. She also cited Assembly Bill 379, which strengthened penalties for human trafficking, and plans to pursue legislation targeting gang recruitment.
Ransom’s public service background includes serving on the San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury, the Tracy Planning Commission, and the Tracy City Council. She also co-founded Sow A Seed, a nonprofit supporting at-risk youth in San Joaquin County. She describes her leadership as an act of service, emphasizing collaboration and working across party lines to address issues such as homelessness and youth mental health.
Challenger Tom Patti, who served eight years on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, is running to address economic challenges facing California businesses and residents. He views affordability as the most significant challenge in the district, criticizing state fees and regulations that he says add about $1.20 per gallon to gasoline costs. Patti advocates for suspending what he calls “heavy-handed” fees, regulations, and taxes, suggesting the suspension of environmental impact reports (EIRs) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to lower costs for housing and energy.
Patti believes a balance needs to be restored in state governance, describing current conditions as “unfettered single-party rule” with insufficient checks and balances. A top priority for him would be to identify and reduce government waste, reallocating those funds to improve the education system and support teachers. He also identifies career training as a means to enhance education and aims to strengthen public safety within the district. During his time as a county supervisor from 2017 to early 2025, Patti pursued public-private partnerships to address housing needs, support veterans, and combat homelessness. He also spearheaded the “1,000 Jobs for 1,000 Students” initiative and advocates for greater coordination between state lawmakers and county officials.