Tony Virrueta announces campaign to run for state senate

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)- Local veterans advocate Tony Virrueta will be running for the California District 17 State Senate seat.

Virrueta will be taking on current Senator John Laird who has held the seat since December 2020.

Virrueta served in the military as a former U.S. Army Ranger. He volunteers his time with local American Legion halls throughout the area.

"The biggest reason I am running is I am already involved in the community through many of my strong veteran networks," Virrueta said. "As a volunteer, I can make a lot of difference there but I do think I can make a bigger difference being in the senate for my community and for my district."

He is also the chairman for the Monterey County Veteran's Day Parade that takes place each November in Salinas.

"The strong leadership skills I learned from the military has prepared me for this," Virrueta said. "I am born and raised in Salinas plus I have a pulse to this community both in English and Spanish."

Virrueta tells KION that he felt like now was a good time to run for the State Senate. His three main goals that he wants to accomplish if he gets elected are tackling the inflation crisis, improving public safety and ensure that quality education is available for all Californians.