of the vote, thus triggering a runoff. She lost the runoff. The election was an open-race, as incumbent Shirley Horton was term-limited. With both Salas and Padilla running, the election marked the first-time that two incumbent Chula Vista City Council members had run for mayor. The election was also historic in that all three candidates running (Salas, Padilla, and Petra Barajas) were hispanic, guaranteeing that the city would elect its first hispanic mayor. Salas collected some big-name endorsements. These included Bob Filner, as well organizations such as the AFSCME, Chula Vista Employees Association, and United Domestic Workers. She was also endorsed ahead of the primary by the editorial board of the La Presna San Diego newspaper. The race between Salas and Padilla was regarded as closely contested. Salas pledged to bring a broader vision to enhancing the city's regional economic importance. She also noted community concerns, such as illegal evictions and areas of the city being in need of sidewalks. Salas proposed fast-tracking roadway projects to alleviate traffic congestion stemming from the city's rapid growth. With much political overlap between Salas and Padilla, the race was seen as being debated on which candidate had the superior experience to lead the city. Throughout the campaign, Salas and Padilla criticized each other for accepting campaign contributions from different real estate developers. A tense race from its inception, in the closing days of the general election, things became particularly hostile as both candidates assailed each other's records. Additionally, Padilla's campaign circulated literature quoting Salas as having used the derisive term "gringos" in a quote to the newspaper El Latino. Voter turnout was significantly lower in the 2002 election than it had been in the previous two elections. Post-city council membership of boards Salas was a mamber of the South Bay Irrigation District from 2004 through 2006. Salas joined the Sweetwater Authority Board of Directors in 2006. California State Assembly Salas was elected to the California State Assembly in 2006, defeating Jean Roesch. She represented the 79th district which includes the communities of National City, Coronado, Imperial Beach and parts of Chula Vista and San Diego. Salas was appointed Chair of the Committee on Veterans Affairs in 2007. She also served on the following standing committees: Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy; Water, Parks and Wildlife; and the Committee on Health. She was re-elected in 2008. In 2010 she campaigned for California State Senate