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<p> In recent weeks there have been several advertisings stating that Assemblymember Mary Salas casted the deciding vote to release violent offenders and sexual predators.</p>
<p> Nothing can be farther from the truth, said Salas, who is running for the 40th State Senate District, which includes parts of San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties. The elections are on Tuesday, June 8.</p>
<p> Her website, under a “Learn the Truth” banner, states, “As a mother, Mary Salas is fiercely protective of her family and yours. That’s why she made it one of her priorities in the Assembly to fight everyday to make sure every child in California is safe. Mary is a co-author of Chelsea’s Law which significantly toughens existing sexual offender laws, fixing problems with the existing one-strike law and includes mandatory life in prison sentences.”</p>
<p> In a recent interview with Salas said she’s been the target of a negative campaign from one of her opponents in the senate race, former San Diego city councilmember and assembly-member, Juan Vargas.</p>
<p> “Juan Vargas broke the promise he made as an assemblymember not to get hired by insurance companies,” she said. “And the first thing he did after he left office was to get hired by an insurance company. People have to see that actions speak louder than words.”</p>
<p> Salas has been running a grass-roots campaign at the same time she’s been endorsed by major political players in San Diego County, including State Senator Denise Ducheny, Congressman Bob Filner, and many mayors and councilmembers in her district.</p>
<p> “It is a privilege to serve the people of my community,” she said. “The doors to my office are always open. I really appreciate the trust the put on me.”</p>
<p> Salas was the first Latina elected to the Chula Vista City Council in 1996. She was elected to the state assembly 10 years later, in 2006. She said that her work in the assembly has benefited a lot of people, beyond Chula Vista.</p>
<p> “Certainly when you move up to the state level office, issues are a lot more complex. I love the challenge of learning about all the issues I deal with. It’s certainly more fulfilling, because at the state level you’re working on your own bills,” she said.</p>
<p> Among the bills she has sponsored are ones benefiting veterans (her family has a long military tradition), mental health patients, education, and housing.</p>
<p> Recently, she expressed her opposition to Arizona’s anti-immigration law, having been born to an immigrant family who has lived in the Chula Vista area since 1918.</p>
<p> “I oppose that law. I will fight so that kind of law never comes to the state of California,” Salas said.</p>
<p> She said that her top priority when she reaches the state senate will be “to increase the number of jobs. That’s the number one issue right now. I’m the only candidate with the experience to bring jobs to our community.”</p>
<p> Salas said that she’s proud to be of Mexican origin, something that has taught her to always look forward and value family and community.</p>
<p> “Our people are hard working. They don’t want hand outs. They want jobs to support their families. We’re going to get out of this economic mess, so that our families can provide for their children.”</p>
<p> To learn more about Mary Salas, visit <a href="http://www.marysalasforstatesenate.com">www.marysalasforstatesenate.com…;
<p><strong>Deadline to Apply for Mail Ballot is this Tuesday</strong></p>
<p> The deadline to apply for mail ballot is Tuesday, June 1, the San Diego County Registrar of Voters announced in a press release.</p>
<p> You can find the application at www.sdvote.com or on the back of the sample ballot and voter information pamphlet sent to each registered voter. </p>
<p> Voters also have the option of sending a note to the Registrar of Voters with their name, residence address, name and date of the election for which a ballot is requested, the address where the ballot is to be mailed and the voter’s signature.</p>
<p> Send forms and notes to Registrar of Voters, P.O. Box 85520, San Diego, CA 92186-5520, or by fax at (858) 694-2955. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on June 1. Postmarks cannot be accepted.</p>
<p> For more information about the June 8 Election, visit <a href="http://www.sdvote.com">www.sdvote.com</a> or call (858) 565-5800.</p>