Salud Carbajal

Salud Ortiz Carbajal ( ; born November 18, 1964) is a Mexican-American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California's 24th congressional district since 2017. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and his district covers Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

Early life and education

Carbajal was born in Moroleón, Mexico, in 1964 and immigrated to the United States, initially to Arizona, later settling in Oxnard, California, with his family, where his father was a farmworker.

Carbajal attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990, and Fielding Graduate University, where he earned a master's degree in organizational management.

Political career

Carbajal served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for eight years, including during the Gulf War, although he did not leave the contiguous United States.

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors

Carbajal was first elected to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors in 2004, representing the first district as a Democrat. He was reelected in 2008 and 2012.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

=2016

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In 2015, Carbajal announced his intention to run for the 24th district after incumbent Lois Capps announced her retirement. Carbajal was seen as one of the two Democratic front-runners in the open primary, alongside Santa Barbara mayor Helene Schneider, and was rivaled by Republican front-runners Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian and small businessman and former congressional aide Justin Fareed. The primary field consisted of four Democrats, three Republicans, and two independent candidates.

In the June 7 primary, Carbajal came in first, with 66,402 votes (31.9%). The runner-up was Fareed, who received 42,521 (20.5%).

In the November 8 general election, Carbajal received 53.4% of the vote to Fareed's 46.6%, a popular vote margin of about 21,000.

=2018

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Carbajal was reelected over Republican challenger Fareed with 58.6% of the vote.

=2020

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Carbajal was reelected to a third term over Republican challenger Andy Caldwell, a nonprofit executive, with 58.7% of the vote.

=2022

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Carbajal was reelected to a fourth term over Republican challenger Brad Allen with 60.6% of the vote.

=2024

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Carbajal was reelected to a fifth term over Republican challenger Thomas Cole with 62.7% of the vote.

Tenure

As of October 2021, Carbajal had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time.

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:
* Committee on Agriculture
** Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit
* Committee on Armed Services
** Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
** Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
* Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
** Subcommittee on Aviation
** Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation (Ranking Member)
** Subcommittee on Highways and Transit

Caucus memberships

* New Democrat Coalition
* House Baltic Caucus
* Congressional Hispanic Caucus
* Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
* Climate Solutions Caucus
* Problem Solvers Caucus
* Congressional Solar Caucus
* Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
* Rare Disease Caucus

Political positions

Abortion

Carbajal opposed the overturning of ''Roe v. Wade'', calling it a "betrayal to our Constitution and...millions of women who count on its protections to retain control of their own body and choices."

Israel

Carbajal voted to voice support for Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

LGBT+ rights

While stating he was "vehemently opposed" to the provisions which banned gender-affirming care for transgender children in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, Carbajal still voted yes to pass the bill.

Personal life

Carbajal lives in Santa Barbara, California and is married to Gina, with whom he has two children.

Foreign awards

* Ukraine
** Honorary Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2024) – Awarded by Ukrainian Parliament; presented by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada.Ukrainian Parliament Awards US Bipartisan Delegation
Link still valid, January 23, 2025.

Electoral history

See also

* List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress

References

External links

*

Salud Carbajal for Congress
campaign website
*

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Carbajal, Salud
1964 births
Living people
21st-century California politicians
American politicians of Mexican descent
Democratic Party county supervisors in California
Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California
Fielding Graduate University alumni
Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress
Hispanic and Latino American military personnel
Mexican emigrants to the United States
Military personnel from California
Naturalized citizens of the United States
People from Moroleón
People from Oxnard, California
Politicians from Guanajuato
Politicians from Santa Barbara, California
United States Marine Corps personnel of the Gulf War
United States Marine Corps reservists
University of California, Santa Barbara alumni
21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives