Luis Alejo
Encyclopedia
Luis Alejo represents the 28th District of the California State Assembly
. He was first elected in 2010 with 62% of the vote.
The 28th Assembly District consists of San Benito County, the Salinas Valley
, North Monterey County, South Santa Clara County and the city of Watsonville.
Before his election to the State Legislature, Alejo was the mayor of Watsonville, California
. He was elected to District 2 of the Watsonville City Council with nearly 80% of the vote and became mayor in November 2009. He had become Vice Mayor in March 2009.
Prior to his public service, Mr. Alejo served as a Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellow
where he worked as a legislative aide for Assemblymember Manny Diaz
(D-San Jose). He attended the University of California, Berkeley
, the University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall
), and Harvard University
.
Born and raised in Watsonville, Alejo’s family came to work in the agricultural fields of the Salinas, Santa Clara and Pajaro Valleys as migrant farmworkers in the 1950s.
Alejo graduated from the University of California, Berkeley
with dual bachelors degrees in political science and Chicano studies, and obtained his master's of education degree from Harvard University
in administration, planning and social policy. He received his Juris Doctorate (JD) from the University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall
), where he won the “Maggie Schelen” scholarship for public service.
After finishing his graduate and professional studies, Luis returned to his hometown of Watsonville to work as a legal aid attorney where he championed the rights of working families throughout the Monterey Bay area. He then worked as a staff attorney for the Monterey County Superior Court, where he assisted thousands of self-represented litigants throughout Monterey County who couldn’t afford private attorneys. He has also worked as a high school teacher, focusing on “at-risk” children.
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
. He was first elected in 2010 with 62% of the vote.
The 28th Assembly District consists of San Benito County, the Salinas Valley
Salinas Valley
The Salinas Valley lies south of San Francisco, California.The word "salina" is spanish for salt marsh, salt lake or salt pan.-Geography:The Salinas Valley runs approximately south-east from Salinas towards King City. The valley lends its name to the geologic province in which it's located, the...
, North Monterey County, South Santa Clara County and the city of Watsonville.
Before his election to the State Legislature, Alejo was the mayor of Watsonville, California
Watsonville, California
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
. He was elected to District 2 of the Watsonville City Council with nearly 80% of the vote and became mayor in November 2009. He had become Vice Mayor in March 2009.
Prior to his public service, Mr. Alejo served as a Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellow
Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship
-History:The California State Assembly Fellowship Program, founded in 1957, is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious legislative fellowship programs. This unique program provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and experiences to directly participate in the...
where he worked as a legislative aide for Assemblymember Manny Diaz
Manny Diaz (California politician)
Manolo J. Diaz is a former California State Assemblyman who served from 2000-2004. He left his seat in 2004 to make an unsuccessful run for the State Senate. Diaz represented the 23rd District...
(D-San Jose). He attended the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, the University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall
King Hall
King Hall may refer to*Charles King Hall, a British composer;*UC Davis School of Law ; and*The mess hall at the United States Naval Academy....
), and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Born and raised in Watsonville, Alejo’s family came to work in the agricultural fields of the Salinas, Santa Clara and Pajaro Valleys as migrant farmworkers in the 1950s.
Alejo graduated from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
with dual bachelors degrees in political science and Chicano studies, and obtained his master's of education degree from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in administration, planning and social policy. He received his Juris Doctorate (JD) from the University of California, Davis School of Law (King Hall
King Hall
King Hall may refer to*Charles King Hall, a British composer;*UC Davis School of Law ; and*The mess hall at the United States Naval Academy....
), where he won the “Maggie Schelen” scholarship for public service.
After finishing his graduate and professional studies, Luis returned to his hometown of Watsonville to work as a legal aid attorney where he championed the rights of working families throughout the Monterey Bay area. He then worked as a staff attorney for the Monterey County Superior Court, where he assisted thousands of self-represented litigants throughout Monterey County who couldn’t afford private attorneys. He has also worked as a high school teacher, focusing on “at-risk” children.