Rudy Salas

Rodolfo "Rudy" Salas (born March 12, 1977) is an American politician who served in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 32nd Assembly district, which encompasses Kings County and parts of northwestern Kern County. Prior to being elected to the Assembly, he was on the Bakersfield City Council.

Salas left his seat in the Assembly to run as the Democratic nominee for California's 22nd congressional district in 2022, losing to incumbent Republican David Valadao. Salas ran again in 2024 for the 22nd congressional district, losing once again to Valadao.

Early life and education Salas was born and raised in southeastern Bakersfield, California. He worked for his family's construction business. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in history and political science in 2000. He then worked at the White House under Vice President Al Gore for a year.

Salas made history in 2010 by becoming the first Latino elected to the Bakersfield City Council. Two years later, he was elected to represent Bakersfield in the California State Assembly, leaving the City Council to serve in Sacramento. 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. He won the rematch in the November 4 general election with 54.8% to Rios's 45.2%.

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, he won his largest victory yet with 65% to Ramirez's 35%.

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).

2020 Salas ran for reelection and faced Republican Todd Cotta, a Hanford gun store owner in the general election.

U.S. House campaigns

Elections

2022

Salas left his seat in the State Assembly to run for California's 22nd congressional district in 2022. He was defeated by incumbent Republican David Valadao in a close race.

2024 Salas announced he would run again for Congress in 2024. He was defeated by incumbent Republican David Valadao in the 2024 general election by over 11,000 votes.

Electoral history