Mary Salas

Mary Salas
Salas at a Hillary Clinton Rally in 2016
40th Mayor of Chula Vista
Incumbent
Assumed office December 9, 2014
Preceded by	Cheryl Cox
Member of the California State Assembly from the 79th district
In office December 4, 2006 – November 30, 2010
Preceded by	Juan Vargas
Succeeded by	Ben Hueso
Member of Chula Vista City Council from the Fourth District
In office 1996–2004
Succeeded by	Steve Castañeda
Personal details
Born	1948 Chula Vista, California
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Children	two daughters
Residence	Chula Vista, California
Alma mater	San Diego State University Southwestern College
Occupation	Social worker
Religion	Roman Catholic

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.

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.

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.

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.