Art Madrid

Madrid in 2005Art Madrid (August 25, 1934 – June 6, 2025) was an American politician who was the mayor of La Mesa, California, from 1990 to 2014.

Background Madrid was born in New Mexico on August 25, 1934, and moved to La Mesa as a teenager. He served in the United States Marine Corps and later worked for Pacific Bell.

Political career Madrid became active in politics working for Pete Wilson during Wilson's time as mayor of San Diego. Elected as a City Councilman from 1981 to 1990, Madrid was then elected Mayor of La Mesa, California in 1990 and then re-elected in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010. In 1993, the Los Angeles Times said that Madrid was "San Diego County's most prominent Latino elected official" at that point.

Personal life and death Madrid and his wife, Sally Lee Madrid, had four children. His wife died from cancer in 2003, fifteen years after one of their sons died, also from cancer.

Madrid died at his home in La Mesa, on June 6, 2025, at the age of 90.