Patrick grew up in a home where substance abuse issues dominated. While moving himself forward as a college student, he experienced homelessness. 

Patrick is a Sunnyvale resident and Silicon Valley native who has advocated to expand access and affordability for community college students. An active community volunteer, Ahrens served on the Board of Directors of the Foothill-De Anza Foundation prior to his election.

Assembly District 26 includes the cities of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and Cupertino and the communities of West San José and Alviso. The District 26 seat is currently held by Assemblymember Evan Low. Asm. Low has endorsed Ahrens in the race to succeed him.

Ahrens holds an associate degree from De Anza College, a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in public administration from San José State University. He currently lives in Sunnyvale and serves as a District Director in the State Assembly.