Candidate for
Member; California State Assembly; District 28

BIOGRAPHY

Assemblymember Salinas was born in Slayton, Texas and is one of twelve children of migrant farmworkers. He graduated from Watsonville High School in 1974, and then went on to Claremont McKenna College to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Latin American Studies in 1978. In 1981, Assemblymember Salinas earned a Bilingual Teaching Credential from San Jose State University and in 1984 graduated with a Jurisprudence Doctorate from Santa Clara Law School.

After receiving his law degree, Assemblymember Salinas put his Teaching Credential to good work as a 6th grade teacher, giving him hands-on knowledge in California's classrooms. He also expanded his academic career as a professor at Hartnell Community College from 1989 through 1993.

Assemblymember Salinas began his public service career in June 1989 when he was elected as the first Mexican-American to serve on the Salinas City Council. During his tenure with the City of Salinas, the Assemblymember served as Mayor Pro-Tem. Assemblymember Salinas was elected to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1993 and again in 1997. During his second term, he was elected Chair of the Board and was the first Mexican-American to serve on the Board in more than 100 years.

Sworn in to the California State Assembly on December 4, 2000, Assemblymember Salinas represents the 28th Assembly District. This district includes part of Monterey, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties and encompasses all of San Benito County. The 28th Assembly District is a diverse area of the State that is truly growing and changing. It is rural and heavily agricultural, but is also beginning to have strong ties to the Silicon Valley and high technology.

During his first term, Assembly Salinas has sent 24 bills to the Governor. Twelve of these bills have already been signed into law while several are awaiting action by the Governor. His legislation addressed district and statewide issues including education, agriculture, housing, health care and transportation. For his work on these issues, he was named Legislator of the Year by Skills USA-VICA and Freshman Legislator of the Year by the California Psychiatric Association.

Assemblymember Salinas Chairs the Local Government Committee and the Select Committee on Rural Economic Development. Reflecting the most pressing needs of the 28th district, his committee assignments also include Transportation, Agriculture, Education, Health and Housing & Community Development Committees.

Assemblymember Salinas has lived most of his life in the Salinas area, growing up around agribusiness and on the farm. He has one son, and like many other parents, enjoys watching soccer games on the weekends.