Ruben Ayala (American politician)

Ruben Samuel Ayala (March 6, 1922 – January 4, 2012) was an American politician. Ayala served as the first elected Mayor of Chino, California from 1964 to 1966, and a California State Senator for twenty-four years from 1974 to 1998.

Ayala was born on March 6, 1922, in Chino, California, as one of six siblings. His grandparents were immigrants from Mexico. His mother died at an early age and his father supported the six children as a well digger. Ayala helped his father by working in the beet farms surrounding Chino and as a shoe shiner. He attended segregated elementary schools in Chino. Segregation also prevented the family from moving to or purchasing property in predominantly Non-Hispanic white neighborhoods in Chino.

Ayala graduated from Chino High School. He then enrolled at Pomona Junior College, which is now called Mt. San Antonio College. Ayala served in the United States Marines in the Pacific Theater during World War II from 1941 to 1946.

He returned to Chino after the war and graduated from the National Electronic Institute in Los Angeles. He initially worked as a television repairman for the Admiral Television Company. He also held a position as a sales manager for the Homelight Corporation, which sold construction materials.

He married his wife, Irene, and had three sons. He joined the local Chino Parent-Teacher Association, which began an interest in politics.

In 1955, Ayala was elected to the school board for the Chino school district. He served on the Chino School Board from 1955 to 1962. Ayala then turned his attention to citywide politics. He was elected to the Chino City Council, serving in the council from 1962 to 1964.

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