Jasmeet Bains

Jasmeet Bains is a Democratic politician and physician currently serving as a member of the California State Assembly, representing the 35th district. She was first elected to the Assembly in November 2022 and has since established herself as a notable figure in California politics, particularly as the first South Asian American woman and Sikh American to serve in this capacity. Bains has a background in medicine and has focused her legislative efforts on healthcare, public safety, and issues affecting her constituents in Kern County.

Early life and career

Jasmeet Bains was born on July 2, 1986, in Delano, California, to Punjabi Sikh immigrants from India. Her father initially worked as an auto mechanic before moving on to own car dealerships. This upbringing in a family of entrepreneurs likely influenced her understanding of the challenges faced by working-class families, particularly during economic downturns.

Bains pursued higher education at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 2006. Following her undergraduate studies, she attended the American University of Antigua, where she obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree in 2013. Her medical education and training provided her with a strong foundation for her subsequent career in healthcare.

Before entering politics, Bains worked at her father's Chevrolet dealership in Taft, California. During the Great Recession, she witnessed firsthand the impact of job losses and the subsequent loss of health insurance for many families. This experience motivated her to transition into the medical field, where she could make a direct impact on people's lives. From 2015 to 2018, Bains completed her residency at Clinica Sierra Vista in Bakersfield, California. Following her residency, she worked as a family medicine physician at Omni Family Health from 2018 to 2020.

In addition to her clinical work, Bains has been involved in various healthcare initiatives. In 2017, she was appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown to the California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission, where she contributed to discussions on healthcare workforce issues. She also served on the California Developmental Services Taskforce and volunteered as a physician for the California Emergency Medical Services Authority. Currently, she practices as a family doctor at Adventist Health's Delano branch, continuing her commitment to serving her community's healthcare needs.

Legislative service

Jasmeet Bains was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2022, representing the 35th district, which is located within Kern County and has a majority Latino population. In her initial election, she defeated fellow Democrat Leticia Perez with a significant majority of the vote. Bains was re-elected in 2024, this time defeating Republican candidate Robert Rosas.

During her tenure in the Assembly, Bains has been involved in a variety of legislative initiatives. In August 2023, she authored a bill recognizing the 1984 Sikh genocide, which garnered attention and controversy, leading to threats against her from individuals who appeared to be of Indian origin. Additionally, she coauthored legislation with state senator Aisha Wahab aimed at banning caste discrimination in California.

Bains's voting record has shown a willingness to diverge from her party on certain issues, particularly those affecting the oil and gas industry. In April 2023, she was removed from the Assembly Business and Professions Committee after being the only Democrat to vote against a bill targeting oil companies over gas price gouging. She later stated that her vote reflected the interests of her constituents in Kern County, a region that relies on oil production. Bains was reinstated to the committee a month later.

In June 2025, she called for the resignation of Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board, in response to rising gas prices, further indicating her commitment to representing the economic interests of her district.

Policy focus and district

Jasmeet Bains has focused her legislative efforts on several key areas, including healthcare, public safety, and economic issues relevant to her constituents. In September 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed her "Grow Our Own" bill, which aimed to establish a new funding pool for a University of California medical school in Kern County. This initiative was designed to address healthcare disparities in the region and improve access to medical education and services.

Bains has also been vocal about healthcare access for undocumented immigrants. In April 2025, she expressed strong opposition to arguments suggesting that providing healthcare to undocumented individuals would increase overall healthcare costs, emphasizing her commitment to equitable healthcare access.

In the realm of public safety, Bains supported Proposition 36 in 2024, which sought to increase penalties for certain theft and drug offenses. She introduced legislation in April 2025 to raise the minimum sentencing for child torture from seven to twenty years. Additionally, she questioned the California Attorney General's office regarding the charges filed against a former Kern County Supervisor, seeking clarity on the legal proceedings related to child cruelty.

Bains's approach to legislation has sometimes put her at odds with her party. In August 2025, she was the only Democrat to vote against Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8, which was a response to a redistricting effort in Texas. This vote highlighted her independent stance on certain issues, even within her party.

Looking ahead, Bains has been actively recruited to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 election against incumbent David Valadao. Her campaign has garnered endorsements from various organizations, including SEIU California and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, despite her history of abstaining from certain healthcare-related votes in the Assembly.

Overall, Jasmeet Bains's legislative career reflects her commitment to addressing the needs of her constituents in Kern County while navigating the complexities of California politics. Her background in medicine and her experiences as a community leader inform her policy priorities as she continues to serve in the California State Assembly.