Ben Hueso | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theCalifornia State Senate from the40th district | |
| In office March 21, 2013 – December 5, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Juan Vargas |
| Succeeded by | Steve Padilla[1] |
| Member of theCalifornia State Assembly | |
| In office December 6, 2010 – March 21, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Mary Salas |
| Succeeded by | Lorena Gonzalez |
| Constituency | 79th district (2010–2012) 80th district (2012–2013) |
| Member ofSan Diego City Council representing the 8th District | |
| In office December 5, 2005 – December 6, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph Inzunza |
| Succeeded by | David Alvarez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1969-09-02)September 2, 1969 (age 56) San Diego,California, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Laura Campa |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence(s) | Logan Heights,California |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles (BA) San Diego State University |
| Occupation | Small businessman |
Benjamin Hueso (born September 2, 1969)[2] is an American businessman and politician who served as a member of theCalifornia State Senate from 2013 to 2022, representing the40th Senate District. A member of theDemocratic Party, he previously served in theCalifornia State Assembly and on theSan Diego City Council.
Hueso served as Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. He previously served as vice-chair from 2015 to 2016.
Hueso was elected to the State Senate in a 2013special election to replace then-SenatorJuan Vargas, who was elected to theU.S. House of Representatives in November 2012.[3] Before being elected to the State Senate, he served in the California State Assembly, representing the80th Assembly district from 2012 to 2013 and the79th Assembly District from 2010 to 2012.[4] Prior to that, he served on the San Diego City Council, including two years as Council President.
Hueso was born inSan Diego and grew up inLogan Heights. His parents wereimmigrants fromMexico and community activists, running an informal community medical clinic out of their home.[5] He graduated fromPoint Loma High School and then from theUniversity of California, Los Angeles with a degree in Sociology/Urban Studies and Planning. He studied at theUniversity of Odesa,Ukraine and completed post-graduate work in Community and Economic Development atSan Diego State University.[6] He worked for the city as a redevelopment agency staffer and also owned his own business.[7]
Hueso was elected in aspecial 2005 election and reelected in the regular2006 election to representSan Diego City Council District 8. He was the onlyLatino on the council at the time.[5] He was chosen by his colleagues to serve as City Council President 2009–2010, the second person to serve in that post.[7] He was also a member of theCalifornia Coastal Commission for two years while serving on the City Council.
He was elected in November 2010 to represent the79th District in theCalifornia State Assembly of theCalifornia State Legislature. In 2012 he was elected to the80th district due to redistricting.[4]
In January 2013 he declared his candidacy for theState Senate 40th district, which became vacant when State SenatorJuan Vargas was elected to Congress.[8] He won the election on March 12, 2013, avoiding a runoff by garnering 52.3% of the vote against three other candidates.[3] He took office on March 21, 2013.[9]
On August 18, 2019, Hueso announced that he would be a candidate for theSan Diego County Board of Supervisors. He ran to succeed incumbentGreg Cox, a popular Republican who was term-limited.[10] In the March 3, 2020 primary, Hueso finished in first place with 29.3% of the vote and faced Southwestern Community College Board Trustee Nora Vargas, who finished second place with 18.9%, in the November runoff.[11] In a mildupset, Vargas won the runoff.[12]
As of 2021, Hueso had opened a campaign account to run for theCalifornia State Board of Equalization in 2022.[13][14]
Hueso is a lifelong resident ofLogan Heights in San Diego's District 8. He has four sons.
At 2:49 a.m. on Aug 22, 2014, Sen. Hueso was arrested in downtownSacramento on suspicion ofDUI.[15]