Rudy Salas


Rudy Salas 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.
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.

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 to Rios's 34,476. 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.
Salas won the rematch in the November 4th 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, Salas 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.
2020
Salas ran for reelection and faced Republican Todd Cotta, a Handford gun store owner in the primary.

Electoral history

California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2012 :
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2012:
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2014 :
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2014:
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2016 :
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2016:
California's 32nd State Assembly district, 2018: