Ruben Ayala

Rubén 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.

Biography Early life 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.