Suzette Martinez Valladares
Suzette Martinez Valladares (born December 21, 1980)[1] is an American politician who served as a member of the California State Assembly from the 38th district, which included the Santa Clarita Valley and Simi Valley. Elected in 2020, she assumed office on December 7, 2020. In 2022, she ran in the newly redrawn 40th Assembly district, and narrowly lost the election to Pilar Schiavo by a 50.2% to 49.8% margin.
Suzette Martinez Valladares | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 38th district | |
| In office December 7, 2020 – November 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Christy Smith |
| Succeeded by | Pilar Schiavo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Suzette Martinez December 21, 1980 Sylmar, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Shane Valladares |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | College of the Canyons (AA) California State University, Northridge (BA) |
Early life and education
Valladares was born in Sylmar, Los Angeles and graduated from Sylmar High School in 1999. A third-generation Californian, her grandfather was a farmworker who worked alongside Cesar Chavez in vineyards near Bakersfield.[2] She earned an associate degree from the College of the Canyons and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from California State University, Northridge.[3]
Career
From 2009 to 2012, Valladares was a district representative for Congressman Buck McKeon. In 2014, she was a candidate for the 36th district in the California State Assembly. In 2014 and 2015, she worked as the California Director of Hispanic Initiatives for the Republican National Committee. From 2015 to 2018, she was the executive director of Southern California Autism Speaks. In 2018, she was a candidate for California's 25th congressional district[4] before withdrawing from the race to run for state assembly.
In 2020, Valladares became one of two Republican nominees for the 38th district in the California State Assembly after incumbent Democrat Christy Smith announced that she would not seek re-election and instead focus on her run for the United States House of Representatives against Mike Garcia. Valladares placed first in the nonpartisan blanket primary and defeated fellow Republican Lucie Lapointe Volotzky, a furniture store owner, in the November general election.[5][6]
In 2021, Valladares became one of the inaugural members of the California State Legislature's "Problem Solvers Caucus," a bipartisan group consisting of members of both the State Assembly and State Senate.[7] The Problem Solvers Caucus says that their goal is to, "create a group of legislators committed more to progress than to ideology."[8]
Personal life
Valladares and her husband, Shane, have one daughter and live in Santa Clarita, California.[9]
References
- ^ "JoinCalifornia - Suzette Martinez Valladares". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ Writer, OW Staff (11 December 2020). "Valladares sworn in to represent 38th District". Our Weekly. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ Suzette Martinez Valladares: Republican strategist, candidate for Congress
- ^ "Suzette Martinez Valladares". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ Rode, Erin. "38th District election results: Valladares headed to win for Assembly seat". Ventura County Star. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ "suzette martinez valladares Archives — Hometown Station | KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220 — Santa Clarita Radio - Santa Clarita News". Hometown Station | KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ^ Newsroom, +KHTS (4 November 2021). "Santa Clarita Assemblywoman Reveals Problem Solvers Caucus Progress In On-Air Interview". Hometown Station | KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220.
- ^ "These state legislators intend to change CA government and make it work for the people". Fresno Bee. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Suzette M. Martinez Valladares". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.