Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 79; Democratic Party

Council President Ben Hueso considers quality of life issues such as job creation, neighborhood livability and protecting the environment his top priorities. Since his 2006 election to the San Diego City Council, Hueso has advocated for District Eight constituents and the city as a whole as a Councilmember, developing an open, consensus-building management style. With his election by peers to the Council Presidency, he assumed additional responsibilities, including scheduling items for consideration by the Council, chairing Council meetings, and selecting committee chairs and committee vice-chairs for approval by a Council majority.

In March, 2007, Hueso was appointed to the California Coastal Commission by the Speaker of the California State Assembly, where he served to help protect California's coastal resources. In addition to serving as Council President and as a California Coastal Commissioner, Hueso chairs the Rules, Open Government and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, serves on SANDAG's Board of Directors, SANDAG's Borders Committee, and as First Alternate for SANDAG's Executive Committee. He is San Diego County's representative for the League of California Cities and sits on the Otay Valley Regional Park Policy Committee.

Prior to becoming a Councilmember, Hueso successfully owned and operated a small business in Logan Heights. His strong community advocacy includes service as a member of the Police Chief's Advisory Committee, founding the central Commercial District Revitalization Corporation, belonging to the Inner City Business Association and serving as a Board Member for the Sherman Heights Community Center.

Hueso holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles; he also completed postgraduate work in Community and Economic Development at San Diego State University. He and his wife, Laura, live in Logan Heights with their four young sons.