Joshua Hoover

Josh Hoover was born in Folsom and now lives there with his wife, Nicole, and their three children. He served on the Folsom Cordova Unified School Board and worked for 11 years as a legislative aide. Before his election to the Assembly, he was chief of staff to Assemblymember Kevin Kiley. Hoover entered the race for the newly drawn 7th Assembly District in January 2022, finished second in the primary and defeated incumbent Ken Cooley in November. Two years later, he won a second term by an eight-point margin.

ROOTS AND FORMATION

Hoover earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and public policy from the University of California, Los Angeles, followed by a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California. He also worked for 11 years as a legislative aide. Before his election to the Assembly, he served as Kiley’s chief of staff.

That work gave Hoover experience in the Legislature before he held a seat there himself. He also served on the Folsom Cordova Unified School Board. The two roles involved different parts of government: one involved working for an Assembly member, while the other involved service on a local school board.

Hoover is Latino. He was born in Folsom, where he now lives. His documented biography includes study in political science, public policy and public administration, along with legislative staffing and local school-board service.

THE PATH TO OFFICE

Hoover announced his Assembly campaign in January 2022, seeking the newly drawn 7th District. He placed second in California’s nonpartisan blanket primary and advanced to the general election against incumbent Democratic Assemblymember Ken Cooley.

The November result displaced the incumbent and moved Hoover from working for an Assembly member to becoming one. He assumed office on December 5, 2022. Having worked as a legislative aide for 11 years, Hoover entered the Assembly with prior experience on a legislative staff.

His first reelection came in 2024 against Citrus Heights City Councilwoman Porsche Middleton. Hoover won a second term 54% to 46%. That result marked his second general-election victory in two cycles—first over a sitting Assembly member, then over a city council member.

THE POLICY SIGNATURE

Hoover’s documented biography does not identify a particular bill, committee assignment, budget vote or issue campaign associated with him. The roles it does identify are legislative aide, Assembly chief of staff, school board member and Assembly member.

His school board service involved local public-school governance. As an Assembly member, he represents the 7th District. Beyond those roles, the documented record does not establish a signature constituency or a particular organized interest at the center of his work.

Hoover has experience both on a legislative staff and as an Assembly member. He worked as a legislative aide for 11 years, served as a chief of staff, served on the Folsom Cordova Unified School Board and defeated an incumbent for the Assembly. His documented record therefore includes legislative staff work, school-board service and membership in the state Legislature.