Assembly member Simon Salinas Biography

Assembly member Simon 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 where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Latin American Studies in 1978. In 1981, Assembly member 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, Assembly member Salinas put his Teaching Credential to good work as a 6th grade teacher, giving him hands-on knowledge of California's classrooms. He later expanded his academic career as a professor at Hartnell Community College from 1989 through 1993.

Assembly member 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 Assembly member served as Mayor Pro-Tem. Assembly member 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, Assembly member 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 has also developed strong ties to the Silicon Valley and high technology.

During his first term, Assembly member Salinas authored legislation that addressed district and statewide issues including education, agriculture, housing, health care and transportation. For his work in these areas, he was named Legislator of the Year by Skills USA-VICA and the California Psychiatric Association and earned honors from the California Migrant Education Program and the Community Action Partnership. More recently, Assembly member Salinas was named as Legislator of the Year by the California Transit Association and was further honored by the Latino Caucus of the League of Cities and the Association of California Healthcare Districts.

Assembly member 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 the Transportation, Agriculture, Health, Housing & Community Development and Veterans Affairs Committees.

Assembly member 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.