After college, she began coaching student athletes at Clairemont and Madison high schools and at San Diego City College. She spent much of the past 20 years teaching information technology, and designing workforce development programs.

Her exposure to public service came at an early age. Her father, Frank Saldaña, served his country and his community, first as a 20-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and later as a reporter for the San Diego Tribune. Lori, likewise, has spent much of her life in service to others.

She chaired a local chapter of the Sierra Club, helped organize Balboa Park’s first Earth Day event, and was appointed to a federal panel that oversaw multimillion-dollar water projects on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

In 2002, Lori Saldaña was named Associate Dean, Director of Service Learning Program, at San Diego Mesa College. Two years later she was elected to her first term in the Assembly.

Assemblymember Saldaña was appointed to Leadership as the Assistant Majority Whip and has been assigned to the Appropriations, Natural Resources, Veteran’s Affairs and Water, Parks and Wildlife Committees. These committee assignments reflect her life-long passions for protecting the environment and improving water quality in California.

She was most recently appointed chairwoman of the Chair the Committee on Housing and Community Development.

Lori Saldaña represents the 76th Assembly District., which includes the communities of Clairemont, Bay Park, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Tierra Santa, Serra Mesa, Hillcrest, University Heights, North Park, South Park, Linda Vista, Mission Valley, City Heights, Old Town, Normal Heights, Mission Hills and Downtown San Diego.