Merced city councilmember announces run for California Senate
Merced City Councilmember Darin DuPont announced his campaign for the state Senate on Thursday.
DuPont, who was elected to the City Council in 2024, is running for the state Senate District 14 seat, which spans portions of Merced, Fresno, Madera and Tulare counties.
According to a news release to announce his campaign, DuPont is “pledging to fight to end the affordability crisis, restore balance to Sacramento and secure the Central Valley’s water future.”
DuPont is a lifelong Merced resident, a father and attorney, the news release said.
“Darin DuPont represents the next generation of strong, principled leadership California needs,” said state Senate Republican leader Brian Jones. “He understands the challenges facing working families and will be a powerful voice for affordability, water security, and common sense in Sacramento.”
DuPont won a close race for Merced City Council’s District 1 seat in 2024, defeating planning commissioner Walter Smith by 213 votes.
Two Democrats have announced their campaigns for the District 14 seat — Esmeralda Soria, a state assemblymember from Merced, and Esmeralda Hurtado, a Sanger city councilmember.
DuPont is a partner at the law firm Robbins Browning Godwin Marchini LLP.
This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 11:49 AM.
