Sion Roy running for California state Senate

Indian American physician to fight for “better access to healthcare, increased educational opportunities, and recovery from devastating Palisades fire

By Arun Kumar

Indian American physician Sion Roy is running for California state Senate in District 24 representing West Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Roy, a cardiologist and vice chair of the Santa Monica College Board, hopes to replace Sen. Ben Allen who terms out in 2026.

Announcing his run Thursday, Roy, 44, who lost his family home in the Palisades fire, promised to fight for “better access to healthcare, increased educational opportunities, and recovery and rebuilding from the devastating Palisades fire.

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He said he will “cut the red tape” in Sacramento, and “bring resources back home to help our community rebuild—because I’m living this challenge alongside you.” He described himself as “a champion who will bring real solutions to these challenges.”

“As a physician, professor, and education advocate, my career has been about service—to my patients, our students, and our community. I’ve worked to expand opportunities for everyone,” he wrote.

Roy, a cardiologist at Harbor UCLA public hospital in Torrance, Roy said as the youngest ever President of the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA), he helped guide the region through the Covid-19 pandemic, working with legislators to better inform policy decisions and keep the public safe.

He was elected to the Santa Monica College (SMC) Board of Trustees in 2018 and now serves as the board Vice Chair. As a Trustee, Roy said he had championed healthcare workforce programs like Certified Nursing Assistant & Home Health Aide Certificate programs, as well as lead the opening of SMC’s new 25,000-square-foot Malibu campus.

As the father of a young son, he had served as PTA President of Webster Elementary School in Malibu, where he spearheaded community-building initiatives and helped pass Measure MM to improve local public schools.

“Like so many other residents of Malibu and the surrounding communities, our family lost our home in the devastating Palisades fire,” Roy recalled. If elected, he promised to “push to cut the red tape and bring resources back to the district to help us quickly and safely rebuild our communities.”

“Our family is going through this process with you in real-time, so I am uniquely aware of the challenges residents face in rebuilding their lives,” he added.