Jasmeet Bains became the first Indian-origin Sikh woman to be elected to the California Assembly. Bains is a medical director at Bakersfield Recovery Services, a non-profit that treats adults suffering from addiction. In her campaign pitch, she said she would prioritize healthcare, homelessness, water infrastructure and air quality.
The daughter of immigrant parents from India, Bains watched her father build a business, starting as an auto mechanic and ultimately owning successful car dealerships. After college, Jasmeet worked with her father before pursuing her career in medicine. When the pandemic hit, Bains was on the frontlines, establishing field hospital sites to treat Covid patients. She has also spearheaded landmark mental health and addiction treatment programs. She was awarded the 2019 Hero of Family Medicine by the California Academy of Family Physicians, and the 2021 Beautiful Bakersfield Award from the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce.