Hi, I’m Jessica Salas. I’m running for Congress in Oregon’s 3rd District. I’ve spent my life working hard, listening to people’s stories, and standing up for those who are often overlooked.

I grew up in Southern California in a home where money was tight and stability was rare. My dad’s gambling addiction cost us everything, and much of my childhood was spent figuring things out on my own. Those experiences taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of looking out for others.

I got my first job at 17, scooping ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, and later spent three years at Disneyland. Those jobs taught me how to stay calm under pressure, solve problems quickly, and connect with people from all walks of life.

Between ages 20 and 23, I lived in Fullerton, California, where I volunteered with Solidarity, a community organization supporting working-class and immigrant families. I helped kids with their homework, spent afternoons with families in the neighborhood, and learned what real community looks like, where people take care of one another because they genuinely care.

By 22, I began what became a twelve-year career in the beer industry. I worked long hours, managed teams and budgets, and learned the value of collaboration and leadership under pressure. At the same time, I saw the toll the industry and alcohol can take on mental health. Choosing sobriety allowed me to focus on healing and showing up for others in meaningful ways.

After losing a close friend to suicide, I committed myself to mental health advocacy. I became certified in Mental Health First Aid and CPR/First Aid/AED, and I have worked to create spaces where people can talk about their struggles without fear or shame. I also founded Hasta La Raíz, a coalition raising funds for Freedom for Immigrants, supporting the fight to end detention and protect immigrant rights.

All of these experiences, from service work and volunteering to leadership roles and personal challenges, have prepared me to serve my community. I know what it means to work hard, face setbacks, and rebuild, and I bring that perspective to everything I do.

I am running for Congress because Oregon deserves a leader who understands what it is like to live it, not just legislate it. Policy is not just paperwork; it is people’s lives.

At the end of the day, power starts with US.