Leticia Castillo
{{Short description|American politician (born 1971)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Leticia Castillo
| image =
| state_assembly = California
| district = 58th
| term_start = December 2, 2024
| term_end =
| predecessor = Sabrina Cervantes
| successor =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|4|27}}
| birth_place = Riverside, California
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Republican
| spouse =
| children =
| residence = Home Gardens, California
| education = Riverside City College (AA)
University of Phoenix (BS)
National University (MA)
| signature =
| website = {{URL|Leticiacastilloforassembly.com|Campaign Website}}
{{URL|https://ad58.asmrc.org|Legislative website}}
| footnotes =
| module =
}}
Leticia Castillo (born April 27, 1971) is an American psychotherapist and politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly. She is a Republican representing the 58th district, encompassing parts of Riverside County and San Bernardino County. The district includes the cities of Jurupa Valley, Corona, Eastvale, Riverside, and Grand Terrace. Prior to her election, she was a psychotherapist in private practice.{{Cite web |title=District 58 Details {{!}} California State Assembly |url=https://www.assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers/58 |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=www.assembly.ca.gov}}{{Cite web |last=Candidate |first=Online |title=Leticia Castillo For Assembly {{!}} Home |url=https://leticiacastilloforassembly.com/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=leticiacastilloforassembly.com |language=en}}
Education
Castillo graduated from Lee Pollard High School while simultaneously attending Corona College of Cosmetology in 1989. She holds a B.S. degree in human services from the University of Phoenix, a M.A. in counseling psychology from National University, and an associate degree for social and behavioral studies at Riverside City College.{{Cite web |title=Vote Smart {{!}} Facts For All |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/205319/leticia-castillo |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Vote Smart}}
California State Assembly
Castillo first ran for the California State Assembly in 2022, placing third in the primary and not advancing to the general election against incumbent Democrat Sabrina Cervantes.
In 2024, Castillo ran again in the open race to replace Cervantes, who ran for California State Senate. During the open primary, Castillo ran against Democratic Riverside City Councilmembers Clarissa Cervantes, the sister of Sabrina, and Ronaldo Fierro. Cervantes had out-raised Castillo by $430,928 as of October 19, 2024.
After advancing to the general election, Castillo defeated Cervantes by 596 votes.{{cite web|url=https://www.pressenterprise.com/2024/11/27/leticia-castillo-declares-victory-in-race-for-inland-empire-assembly-seat/|title=Leticia Castillo declares victory in race for Inland Empire Assembly seat|last=Horseman|first=Jeff|date=November 27, 2024|access-date=January 5, 2025|website=The Press-Enterprise}} Her victory was seen as a major upset in the blue-leaning district, attributed to the Latino swing towards Donald Trump in the concurrent presidential election as well as Cervantes' two arrests for driving under the influence.{{cite web|url=https://www.presstelegram.com/2024/12/22/why-did-inland-empire-republicans-do-so-well-in-nov-5-election/|title=Why did Inland Empire Republicans do so well in Nov. 5 election?|last=Horseman|first=Jeff|date=December 22, 2024|access-date=January 5, 2025|website=Press-Telegram}} Cervantes has announced her intention to run again in 2026.https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/clarissa-cervantes-plans-to-run-for-inland-empire-assembly-seat-in-2026/ar-AA1yeyck?ocid=BingNewsSerp
=Electoral history=
==2024==
{{Election box open primary begin no change
| title = 2024 California's 58th State Assembly district election{{cite web |title=Presidential Primary Election - Statement of Vote, March 5, 2024 - State Assembly |url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-primary/sov/96-state-assembly-formatted.pdf}}{{cite web |title=General Election - Statement of Vote, November 5, 2024 - State Assemblymember By District |url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2024-general/sov/42-state-assembly.pdf |website=California Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = California Republican Party
| candidate = Leticia Castillo
| votes = 29,500
| percentage = 48.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = California Democratic Party
| candidate = Clarissa Cervantes
| votes = 15,713
| percentage = 25.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = California Democratic Party
| candidate = Ronald Fierro
| votes = 15,514
| percentage = 25.5
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 60,727
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box open primary general election no change}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = California Republican Party
| candidate = Leticia Castillo
| votes = 78,292
| percentage = 50.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = California Democratic Party
| candidate = Clarissa Cervantes
| votes = 77,696
| percentage = 49.8
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 155,988
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no change
| winner = California Republican Party
| loser = California Democratic Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
==2022==
{{Election box open primary begin no change
| title = 2022 California's 58th State Assembly district election{{cite web |title=Primary Election - Statement of the Vote, June 7, 2022 |url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2022-primary/sov/104-state-assemblymember.pdf|website=California Secretary of State |access-date=July 16, 2022}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = California Democratic Party
| candidate = Sabrina Cervantes (incumbent)
| votes = 28,568
| percentage = 54.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = California Republican Party
| candidate = Bernard William Murphy
| votes = 13,449
| percentage = 25.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = California Republican Party
| candidate = Leticia Castillo
| votes = 10,756
| percentage = 20.4
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = {{sum|28568|13449|10756}}
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}