Jimmy Gomez is reelected to California’s 34th Congressional District, defeating David Kim

Democratic incumbent Rep. Jimmy Gomez has defeated fellow Democrat David Kim in the race to represent California’s 34th Congressional District.

Gomez has held the seat since taking office in 2017. He secured a win with more than 70,000 votes, or 56.5% of the ballots counted so far, according to a race call by the Associated Press Wednesday.

Gomez will represent a majority Latino district that encompasses unincorporated East L.A. and several Los Angeles neighborhoods, including Boyle Heights, Chinatown, City Terrace, Cypress Park, downtown Los Angeles and Eagle Rock. 

Tight races in California congressional districts could determine whether Democrats or Republicans gain control of the House. The race for 34 is not one of them, as both Gomez and Kim are Democrats.

Gomez began his career as a public servant and organizer fighting for working families with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees CA trade union, which advocates for public service workers in California.

Elected to the State Assembly in 2012, Gomez pushed for progressive initiatives like Paid Family Leave, which President Obama and then-Attorney General Kamala Harris praised. He later became a U.S. Representative in 2017, where he fought against attacks on immigrants and health care and supported significant legislation, such as the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Gomez’s latest campaign platform includes tackling housing affordability, reproductive rights, healthcare, and criminal justice reform. Affordable housing is something that resonates with his constituents.

“Affordability is the biggest issue I hear about throughout Los Angeles—especially housing affordability,” said Gomez. That’s why I brought back over $65 million in federal funding to improve housing access and affordability throughout our district, including millions of dollars to Boyle Heights directly, allowing us to refurbish, repair, or build over 1,000 units of housing in LA.”

Gomez added, “But I know more work needs to be done and I’m fighting each day to bring more resources to our community and pass bills that lower housing costs, increase housing stock and make the American dream a reality for more people.”

Gomez told Boyle Heights Beat that reducing living expenses for residents would be at the forefront of his agenda. 

“My first order of business will be to continue my fight to lower costs for Angelenos—on everything from housing to groceries and beyond. I have a bill that will put money back into renters’ pockets by giving monthly tax credits to help them make rent and another bill that gives up to $50,000 to first-time and first-generation homebuyers to help them achieve the American dream,” Gomez said.

“On top of that, I’ve been leading the charge to put a stop to the price gouging that we are seeing at grocery store chains across the country that leads to higher prices for shoppers,” Gomez continued. We need a more fair economy that helps working people instead of leaving them behind—that’s what I’m fighting for as your representative.”