Bakersfield City Councilman, Rudy Salas Jr, was born and raised in California’s Central Valley. Attending local schools in Bakersfield and Delano, Rudy was instilled with a hard work ethic. As a youth, Rudy was shown the values of discipline and hard work by going to work with his father building boxes for grapes and kiwis picked from the local fields. These virtues led Rudy to become the first in his family to graduate from college by graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with dual degrees in Political Science and History while simultaneously working multiple jobs to pay his way through college.
Upon graduating from UCLA, Rudy earned a fulltime position at the White House in the Vice Presidents office
working on financial matters. Rudy returned home to work at California State University, Bakersfield. At CSUB, Rudy served as a counselor with the Upward Bound program, serving eight of our local high schools. Additionally at CSUB, Rudy served as the Residential Life Director for the CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program) program for incoming college freshman and also served as an instructor for high school juniors at the university.
After several years working at CSUB, Rudy was selected for a highly competitive fellowship at the State Capitol. While in the State Capitol, Rudy worked for the Assembly Majority Leader on a variety of issues. Recognized for his hard work and grasp of the issues, our local State Senator hired Rudy where he worked on state legislation, budget augmentations, coordinated hearings and meetings affecting the valley. After serving in the State Capitol and as the District Director for the Senate Majority Leader, Rudy would soon realize his dream of representing and fighting for the community he was raised in.
With the encouragement and support of his family, friends and the organizations in the area he decided to run for the Bakersfield City Council. Rudy became the first Hispanic in the 138 year history of the city to serve on the Bakersfield City Council. As a current Bakersfield City Council member, Rudy places a strong emphasis on community involvement, education, public safety, community services and economic development. Rudy has developed a reputation as a “hands-on,” tenacious advocate for his City Council district and the region. Rudy can often be seen in the community, hosting a variety of public meetings, neighborhood graffiti and trash clean-ups, and participating in many local events encouraging others to become civically engaged. Rudy continues to be a staunch advocate for increasing public safety in our neighborhoods.
Rudy also works in his family business, a local licensed General Contractor established in 1972, as a construction supervisor managing work crews on a variety of commercial and residential projects.
