Happy First Night of Navratri! Navratri celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the strength within us all. Wishing joy, peace, and bright beginnings to everyone observing this holiday and everyone in Assembly District 76.

I was honored to join the Federation of Indian Associations in celebrating the 79th anniversary of Indian Independence, a moment that honors the resilience and sacrifices of those who fought for freedom.

Today we are celebrating National Food Bank Day during this Hunger Awareness Month! More than 1/4 of San Diegans face nutrition insecurity and more than 70% of those that the San Diego Food Bank serves are working households.

Happy Labor Day! Today we celebrate and honor the hardworking people who power our district and keep our region moving forward safely. Thank you for all that you do as our communities are stronger because of you!

Today is Women's Equality Day! 🚺 In the California State Legislature, women hold a record-breaking 59 of 120 seats, representing 49% of the total. This includes 38 women in the Assembly and 21 women in the Senate. This milestone signifies a significant step towards gender parity in our legislature!

Congratulations to the 2025 Rancho Bernardo Hall of Fame inductees! It was an honor to recognize Carl Kruse, Harvey Levine, and Alan Turner at this year’s ceremony.🏅 Thank you for everything you do for our community!

Team Patel was proud to join I Love A Clean San Diego for the ribbon cutting ceremony of their new office! They’re doing such great work across the county and it was a pleasure for my team to join for this special occasion! 🌎🍃

This morning I joined the Capitol Academy for a panel discussion sharing my experience as an AAPI elected official. It was my pleasure to share my story with those considering engaging in higher office and policy-making in their communities.

Today it was my pleasure to hold the first hearing for the Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access that I Chair. Our panel included representatives from DHCS, Children Now, and University of California.

Thank you to the fearless Dolores Huerta for joining me in my Sacramento office to share your stories and experiences! It’s an honor to represent our working families in the legislature. Dolores’ stories are truly an inspiration— ¡Sí Se Puede!

It was great to meet with IBEW Local 569 at the Capitol and hear about the incredible work they’re doing on the ground! I look forward to collaborating as we advance our clean energy transition and expand opportunities for working families.

August 15 marks India’s independence from British rule in 1947. We honor the sacrifices that made this freedom possible and celebrate resilience, liberty, and democracy, at home and around the world. 🇮🇳

🏡 Happening this evening! Live webinar — Unlocking Homeownership with CalHFA 🕕 6:00 PM 💻 Register now: a76.asmdc.org/event/202508...

You’re invited to my community listening session— Donuts with Darshana! 🍩 Join me on Wednesday, August 13 from 11 AM to 12 PM for donuts and dialogue. RSVP here: a76.asmcdc.org/events

Day 2 at #NCSLSummit! Joined a great breakout on science in policy and presented on how California’s community schools are expanding access to education, health, and family services. Proud to share our progress and learn from others.

At the National Conference of State Legislators this week! We kicked off with a great session on moving from division to dialogue. Joined panels on oversight, tariffs, and workforce readiness. Proud to represent California on the Education Standing Committee. More to come tomorrow! #NCSLsummit

Honored to join CSU San Marcos for the groundbreaking of the Integrated Science & Engineering Building—a big step for equity, opportunity, and a stronger future in biotech, clean energy, and tech.

From local voices to legislative victories, this budget reflects what we’ve heard from our community and advocated for in Sacramento. I’m proud to deliver on the priorities that matter to Assembly District 76.

It was great to join the Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo in honoring outgoing President Terry Heck! 👏 Terry helped grow local service projects and brought lasting impact to the community. Thank you for a great year of leadership! #Rotary #RanchoBernardo #ServiceAboveSelf

Today, we commemorate Juneteenth—the end of slavery in the United States and a powerful reminder of the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality. As we honor the strength and resilience of Black Americans, let us recommit to building a future rooted in equity and freedom for all. #Juneteenth

Budgets are statements of priorities, and this year’s budget puts Californians first while being deliberately fiscally responsible. By protecting services and investing in what matters, we’re helping Californians not just survive, but succeed.

Today we honor all fathers and those who fill a father’s role with love and care. Your guidance and support make our communities stronger. Happy Father’s Day!

Please read my official statement

🌈 So much love, joy, and community at Pride by the Beach! Grateful to celebrate authenticity, unity, and pride. #PrideByTheBeach #LoveIsLove #Pride2025

If you are approached by immigration authorities, remember: you have constitutional rights, regardless of your immigration status. 🔗 Learn how California protects immigrant communities: oag.ca.gov/immigrant #KnowYourRights #ImmigrantRights

📢 Happening tonight! Join me, CA Dept. of Justice 🏛️, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego ⚖️ for our Tenants’ Rights Webinar 🏠 ✅ Know your rights ✅ Get updates on renter protections ✅ Ask your questions live 📲 RSVP: a76.asmdc.org/events 👥 Tag a friend who should be there!

While the threats to Shoal Creek Elementary prompted this legislation, we see the need for it statewide as these key facilities remain unprotected. AB 237 is critical to protecting the people inside these institutions, those who visit, and everyone who relies on their services.

Homeowners and neighborhoods are at the heart of our community. I support clean energy policies that are fair and affordable for all, balancing progress with practical solutions that protect what matters most.

🌈 Happy Pride Month from the Golden State! California stands with our LGBTQIA+ communities—this month and every month. From inclusive legislation to open representation, we lead with love and action. 🏳️‍🌈 #PrideMonth #CALeg #Equality #LeadWithLove

🎉 Big win! AB 268 passed the Assembly — bringing California one step closer to officially recognizing Diwali as a state holiday! 🌟 Onward to the Senate! #AB268 #DiwaliHoliday #RepresentationMatters

This month, trade your screen time for trail time. 🌲 149 wilderness areas ⛰ Nearly 15 million acres of protected land 🌵 Endless places to hike, camp, and recharge It’s all here in California — get outside and explore it! #GreatOutdoorsMonth #GetOutside

Honoring tradition, achievement, and resilience—this month’s CSUSM American Indian Graduate Ceremony was a powerful celebration of Native identity and academic success. I was proud to join in recognizing these outstanding graduates. #CSUSM

🍓 Sweet Sunday at the Vista Strawberry Festival! Grateful to connect with neighbors, families & local vendors over sunshine, strawberries & real conversations. From housing to small biz support, I’m here to listen & help. 📍Missed me? My door’s always open. #VistaStrawberryFestival #CommunityFirst

I'm honored ‪‪@caspeakerrivas.bsky.social‬ appointed me to serve as the Chair of the Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Accessibility. Excited to get to work and share more in the coming weeks!

It’s an honor to work for you! I’m proud to announce that this collection of community-first initiatives has successfully made it out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and is headed to the Assembly Floor for a vote.

This week, #TeamPatel had the honor of recognizing the incredible work of Shoes That Fit at Pioneer Elementary School. Their dedication to helping kids start every school day with dignity and confidence—one pair of shoes at a time—is truly inspiring. 👟💙 #CommunityImpact #ShoesThatFit

Congratulations to Bertrand's Music Rentals, our Small Business of the Year, for keeping music alive in schools and supporting generations of student musicians. 🎷🎻 #CommunityDriven #SupportLocal #BertrandsMusic

💙 1 in 5 women face maternal mental health challenges—and too many suffer in silence. This week, I presented ACR 78 declaring May 2025 Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. This is personal and urgent. To every mother: You are seen. You are supported. You deserve care. #MaternalMentalHealth #ACR78

Grateful to have joined @ppactionca.bsky.social and so many fierce advocates at Capitol Park this week. We showed up because Planned Parenthood shows up—every single day—for millions of Californians. Let’s make sure they can keep their doors open. #StandWithPlannedParenthood

Honored to name Interfaith Community Services as the 76th Assembly District 2025 Nonprofit of the Year! For 45 years, they’ve provided food, shelter, healthcare & hope across North San Diego County—lifting lives with dignity and compassion. #CalNOTY2025 #NonprofitPower #District76

I had the chance to speak about something that really matters to me: keeping firefighters safe as lithium-ion battery fires become more common and more dangerous. AB 841 is a critical step in making sure our gear and protocols keep up with this new threat. Proud to stand behind this effort. 🔥🧯

This Military Appreciation Month, we honor all who serve: 🎖️ Active-duty members 🎖️ Veterans 💙 Military families 🤝 Supporters of our military community Your service and sacrifice strengthen our nation. Thank you. #MilitaryAppreciationMonth #MilitaryCommunityStrong

📢 Renters — I’m teaming up with CA Department of Justice 🏛️ and Legal Aid Society of San Diego ⚖️ for a Tenants’ Rights Webinar on June 9 🗓️ Learn your rights, get updates, and ask your questions — just in time for summer lease renewals 🏠 📲 RSVP: a76.asmdc.org/events 👥 Tag a friend who needs this info!

There’s nothing like being out in the community. Thanks to everyone who stopped by at the Escondido Street Festival—we had some great conversations! If you see us at an event, don’t be shy—come say hi! 👋❤️ #CommunityMatters #Escondido

What a joy to attend the Art for Heart Inaugural Artistry Exhibit! I left inspired and reminded of how powerful art is in healing, connecting, and uplifting our community. Grateful for the incredible local artists and all who made this event possible. 🎨❤️ #ArtForHeart #SupportTheArts

Thank you to the Society of Women Engineers - San Diego for inviting me to kick off Girls in STEM Inspiration Day for the third time—and my first as your Assemblymember! Together, we are building a more inclusive STEM future. #STEMinspiration #EquityInSTEM #SWE

Proud to share our bills have passed out of their respective policy committees and are now in appropriations! These community-oriented efforts prioritize public safety, education, accessibility, affordability, and health. More updates to come as we move forward! 📜 #Legislation #CommunityFirst

Please see my official statement about the Governor’s proposed revisions to the State Budget.

#ThrowbackThursday I was proud to speak in support of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons Day. This day reminds us that justice must be visible, urgent, and inclusive. The AANHPI community stands with Indigenous communities in the fight for answers and dignity. #JusticeForAll

What a joy it was to welcome @chrissyteigen.bsky.social to the Capitol! Her celebration of Thai culture and commitment to visibility for the AANHPI community continue to inspire us as we work toward greater equity and inclusion. #PrideInHeritage