Preceded by Cheryl Cox Nationality American Preceded by Juan Vargas Political party Democratic | Succeeded by Ben Hueso Name Mary Salas Succeeded by Steve Castaneda Party Democratic Party | |
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Role California State Assembly member Residence Chula Vista, California, United States Office Mayor of Chula Vista since 2014 Education San Diego State University, Southwestern College | ||
Mary salas the climate summit for local leaders
Mary Salas is a California politician from Chula Vista, California. She is a former California Assembly member who represented the 79th Assembly District from 2006 to 2010. She ran for the California State Senate in 2010 but lost. In 2012 she was elected to the Chula Vista City Council, a position she previously held from 1996 to 2004. She was elected Mayor of the city of Chula Vista in 2014.
Contents
- Mary salas the climate summit for local leaders
- Personal life
- Local offices
- California State Assembly
- References
Personal life
Salas was born in 1948 in Chula Vista. She married Sal Salas in 1967 at the age of 19 and became a stay-at-home mom. After 17 years she and her husband divorced. At the age of 37, Salas enrolled in San Diego State on her way to earning a bachelor degree in social work. In college, she became involved with MANA de San Diego, a women's organization that mentors young Latinas, which led her into city politics. She is married to Sal Salas, with whom she has two daughters.
Local offices
Salas served as a member of Chula Vista's Civil Service Commission and Planning Commission. In 1996 she became the first Latina elected to the Chula Vista City Council in 1996; she was re-elected in 2000. As a councilwoman, she chaired the University Working Group to establish a higher education center in the region and co-chaired the Blue Ribbon Committee for the “San Diego County Preschool for All.” She gained a reputation as a member who was willing to speak her mind. She fought to expand Chula Vista's participation in cultural arts.
Salas ran for mayor against fellow city councilmember and political ally Steve Padilla in 2002, but lost. She was termed out of the city council in 2004.
She served as a member of the Sweetwater Authority Board of Directors in 2006.
In 2012 she ran for re-election to the Chula Vista City Council, representing District 4. In the November runoff election she defeated Linda Wagner, 57.6% to 42.3%.
Mary Salas became the first Latina Mayor of Chula Vista, California in December 9, 2014.
California State Assembly
Salas was elected to the California State Assembly in 2006, defeating Jean Roesch. She represented the 79th district which includes the communities of National City, Coronado, Imperial Beach and parts of Chula Vista and San Diego. Salas was appointed Chair of the Committee on Veterans Affairs in 2007. She also served on the following standing committees: Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy; Water, Parks and Wildlife; and the Committee on Health. She was re-elected in 2008. In 2010 she campaigned for California State Senate but lost narrowly to Juan Vargas.