Mary Salas

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Mary Salas
Member of the California State Assembly from the 79th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  December 4, 2006 [1]
Preceded by	Juan Vargas
Born	1948
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Sal Salas
Alma mater	San Diego State
Profession	Politician

Mary Salas is a California politician. She is currently the California Assemblymember who represents the 79th Assembly District, which includes the communities of National City, Coronado, Imperial Beach and parts of Chula Vista and San Diego. Salas was elected to her office in November 2006 on the Democrat ticket. Salas is married to Sal, her high school sweetheart and they have two daughters and three grandchildren.

Contents 1 Before politics 2 Early political career 3 Assembly 4 Elected political offices held 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Before politics

Mary Salas married her husband Sal Salas in 1967 at the age of 19. For the next 17 years, Mary Salas was a stay-at-home mom. Salas divorced her husband in 1988 though they would remain close and would remarry in 2005. At the age of 37, Salas enrolled in San Diego State on her way to earning a bachelor degree in social work. Salas graduated Magna Cum Laude. In college, she became involved with MANA de San Diego, a women's organization that mentors young Latinas, which led her into city politics [1].

[edit] Early political career

Salas served as a member of Chula Vista's Civil Service Commission and Planning Commission. Salas became the first Latina elected to the Chula Vista City Council in 1996 and was re-elected in 2000. As a Councilwoman, she chaired the University Working Group to establish a higher education center in the region and currently co-chairs 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 [2]. She fought to expand Chula Vista's participation in cultural arts. Salas was the first city councilmember to question Port Commissioner David Malcolm because of a potential conflict-of-interest. Malcolm was later convicted of conflict-of-interest felony for his business dealings with Duke Energy. Salas ran for mayor against fellow city councilmember, and political ally Steve Padilla in 2002 but lost. She was termed out of city council in 2004 [3]. She served as a member of the Sweetwater Authority Board of Directors in 2006 [4].

[edit] Assembly

Salas defeated Jean Roesch in the 2006 general election. Salas was appointed Chair of the Committee on Veterans Affairs in 2007. She also serves on the following standing committees: Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy; Water, Parks and Wildlife; and the Committee on Health.

[edit] Elected political offices held

Preceded by unknown	Chula Vista City Councilmember "District 4" 1994—2004	Succeeded by Steve Castañeda
Preceded by Juan Vargas	California Assembly 79th district 2006—present	Succeeded by —

[edit] References

1. ^ League of California Cities. "2007 California State Legislature Convenes." Priority Focus. Copyright © 2006 League of California Cities. Accessed on August 17. 2007.

[edit] External links

• Assembly website

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