Patrick Ahrens
Patrick Ahrens is one of Sacramento's most compelling personal stories — a Silicon Valley native who overcame homelessness, family hardship, and loss to become the first-generation college graduate representing the very communities that shaped him. He proudly represents the 26th Assembly District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley within Santa Clara County, including the cities of Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale, and parts of the City of San José including the communities of Alviso and West San José, as well as the unincorporated communities of Burbank and Fruitdale.
Ahrens was born in San José, California, and has been a lifelong resident of the district. He grew up in a home where substance abuse issues dominated, and while working his way through college, he experienced homelessness and housing insecurity. At one point, he and his twin brother lived out of a Ford hatchback together. His twin brother later died from cancer while being forced to work continuously to maintain health insurance and provide for his family — a devastating personal loss that has made Ahrens one of the Legislature's most passionate advocates for health care access and worker protections.
A first-generation college graduate, Ahrens earned an associate degree from De Anza College, a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master's degree in public administration from San José State University. His educational journey — beginning at the community college in his own backyard — is central to how he approaches policy, particularly on issues of higher education access and affordability.
Before reaching Sacramento, Ahrens built his career in public service through both legislative staff work and elected office. He worked for U.S. Representative Janice Hahn in Washington, D.C., where he met Assemblymember Evan Low, and went on to serve as Low's District Director for several years. He was first elected to the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees in 2018 and was selected as president of the board in December 2021. As board president, he led efforts to build affordable housing for faculty, staff, and students, and collaborated with Santa Clara County to establish a first-in-the-state medical clinic at De Anza College.
Ahrens ran for the Assembly in 2024 to succeed incumbent Evan Low, who left the seat to run for U.S. Congress. He advanced to the general election against fellow Democrat Tara Sreekrishnan and defeated her with 56% of the vote. He was sworn into office in December 2024.
In Sacramento, Ahrens serves as Co-Chair of the California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus, and is a member of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and the Bay Area Caucus. He sits on the Budget, Business and Professions, Health, Rules, and Transportation Committees, as well as several select committees on issues including child care costs, CalFresh enrollment, and biotechnology.
His early legislative record reflects his personal history. He authored AB 461, signed into law by Governor Newsom, which decriminalized truancy — repealing a section of the Penal Code that had subjected families to criminal charges and fines for school absences. He also authored AB 243, signed into law to reduce barriers to higher education for youth involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems. Additionally, he introduced AB 1326 to enshrine the right to wear a health mask in public places, and AB 1831 to impose salary caps on California State University administrators — taking on what he views as an out-of-control executive compensation culture in public higher education. He resides in Sunnyvale, and brings to every policy debate the perspective of someone who has personally navigated the systems he is now empowered to change.