Rudy Salas
Rudy Salas (born March 12, 1977) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 32nd Assembly District, which encompasses Kings County and parts of Kern County. Salas is a member of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. Prior to being elected to the Assembly in 2012, he served on the Bakersfield City Council.
Rudy Salas | |
---|---|
Member of the California State Assembly from the 32nd district | |
Assumed office December 3, 2012 | |
Preceded by | David Valadao (redistricted) |
Personal details | |
Born | March 12, 1977 43) Bakersfield, California, US | (age
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Bakersfield, California |
Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles |
He is considered a moderate Democrat, colloquially referred to as a "Valleycrat" for Democrats who prioritize the interests of a primarily conservative San Joaquin Valley constituency.[1][2]
Campaigns
2012
When incumbent Assemblyman David Valadao announced that he would not run for reelection, instead seeking a congressional bid for the 21st district, the seat was left vacant. In the June 5 primary, Salas ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination and won the overall primary with 41.4% of the vote, or 13,053 votes, ahead of the three Republican candidates. He faced off against the primary runner-up, Republican former Delano Mayor Pedro Rios, in the November 6 general election. Salas came in first by a smaller margin than before, with 38,759 total votes (52.9%) to Rios's 34,476 (47.1%).[3] He was sworn in on December 3, 2012.
2014
Salas ran for re-election in November 2014, again against former Delano Mayor Pedro Rios, who defeated Delano Union School Board trustee Romeo Agbalog in the June 2014 Republican primary election.[1]
Salas won the rematch in the November 4th general election with 54.8% to Rios's 45.2%.[1][4]
2016
Salas ran for a third term in 2016. He faced minimal opposition in the primary, with Republican Manuel Ramirez running a write-in campaign that garnered 1% of the primary vote. In the general election, Salas won his largest victory yet with 65% to Ramirez's 35%.[5]
2018
Salas ran for a fourth consecutive term in 2018. He was challenged by Republican Hanford City Councilman Justin Mendes, a staffer for Congressman David Valadao (whom Salas succeeded in the Assembly in 2012).[6]
2020
Salas ran for reelection and faced Republican Todd Cotta, a Handford gun store owner in the primary.[7]
Electoral history
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2012 (Primary):
- Rudy Salas - 13,053 (41.4%)
- Pedro A. Rios - 7,550 (23.9%)
- Jon McQuiston - 6,530 (20.7%)
- David Thomas - 4,420 (14.0%)
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2012:
- Rudy Salas - 38,759 (52.9%)
- Pedro A. Rios - 34,476 (47.1%)
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2014 (Primary):
- Rudy Salas (incumbent) - 11,577 (43.9%)
- Pedro A. Rios - 9,183 (34.8%)
- Romeo Agbalog - 5,628 (21.3%)
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2014:
- Rudy Salas (incumbent) - 26,721 (54.8%)
- Pedro A. Rios - 22,031 (45.2%)
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2016 (Primary):
- Rudy Salas (incumbent) - 30,806 (98.9%)
- Manuel Ramirez (write-in) - 334 (1.1%)
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2016:
- Rudy Salas (incumbent) - 53,056 (65.1%)
- Manuel Ramirez - 28,502 (34.9%)
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2018:
- Rudy Salas (incumbent) - 26,646 (67.96%)
- Justin Mendez - 12,562 (32.04%)[8]
References
- Powell, Mark (Nov 4, 2014). "Salas beats Rios once again in 32nd District". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
- The Bee Editorial Team (April 22, 2015). "EDITORIAL: Speaker Atkins punishes Gray for trying to help Valley". The Fresno Bee.
- "California Elections: Assembly District 32".
- "State Assembly Member District 32 District and County Results". California Election Results. November 21, 2014. Archived from the original on November 24, 2014. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- "California Election Results 2016". New York Times. November 8, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- http://www.bakersfield.com/news/justin-mendes-staffer-for-congressman-david-valadao-to-challenge-assemblyman/article_04f8beac-2326-11e8-bb5b-9ff54b8504bc.html
- smayer@bakersfield.com, STEVEN MAYER. "ELECTION 2020: Salas and Cotta to face off in March primary, but is it just a dress rehearsal for November?". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- "Results". www.kernvote.com. Retrieved 2020-05-04.