Mary Salas
Mary Salas was elected to represent the 79th California State Assembly District in November of 2006. The district includes the cities of Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, Coronado, and portions of San Diego.
Assembly Member Salas was appointed Chair of the Committee on Veterans Affairs in 2007. Her father and six uncles all served in the armed forces. “I am so proud to be the Chair of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, especially because of my father and uncles’ military service.”
Now as they have given to our country, I have the opportunity to serve our Veterans,” says Assembly Member Salas. “Particularly at this critical time, my focus as Chair will be to address the re-entry needs of our service men and women that are returning from current duty, keeping in mind the ongoing concerns of our entire Veterans’ community.”
In addition to being Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Assembly Member Salas serves on the following standing committees: Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy; Water, Parks and Wildlife; and the Committee on Health.
In 1996, Assembly Member Salas became the first Latina elected to the Chula Vista City Council. As a Councilwoman, she chaired the University Working Group to establish a higher education center in the region.
Her commitment to improving the quality of life for the people in the district is longstanding. She served for seven years on the California Trade and Commerce Agency, and as board member of the South County Economic Development Council.
Salas graduated Magna Cum Laude from San Diego State University and received a Bachelor of Social Work.
Mary and her husband have two daughters, Sara and Michele, and are proud grandparents of three grandkids: Michael, Adriana, and Marissa.