(Sunnyside, Washington) Evaristo Salas Jr., who spent 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, has been elected to the Sunnyside School Board in Washington State. Salas, 45, won 61.4% of the vote over opponent Laura Galvan and says he’s focused on serving the community that stood by him.
As News From The States reported, Salas was just 16 when he was wrongfully convicted of the 1995 killing of Jose Arreola. Released two years ago, he now mentors at-risk students for the Grandview School District and studies social work at Columbia Basin College. He is also pursuing a lawsuit against Sunnyside agencies over his wrongful conviction.
Residents described Salas’s outreach as unprecedented, noting that many had never met a local candidate in person. Supporters, including local muralist Chase Reiff and resident Perla Clara, are partnering with him to restore community murals defaced by gang graffiti.
Salas said his campaign and community work reflect a lifelong commitment to giving others hope. “If your intentions are in the right place and you care about your community, you can make a difference,” he said.
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