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Gabby Salinas
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Gabby Salinas is a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 96 1. She assumed office on November 5, 2024, following her election as the first Latina and the first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to the Tennessee legislature from Shelby County 5. Her current term concludes on November 3, 2026 1.
Salinas is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 96 in the 2026 cycle 1. She is scheduled to appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026 1. As of May 2026, the outcome of this upcoming election remains unknown.
During her tenure, Salinas has served as the chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party, a role she assumed after emerging victorious at an online party convention in August 2024 7. In March 2026, she met with Yasser Lopez, an 18-year-old Memphis high school student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, at the West Tennessee Detention Facility 8.
Background and education
Gabriela Salinas was born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia 2. She immigrated to the United States with her family in 1996, arriving first in New York before relocating to Memphis, Tennessee, when she was seven years old to receive life-saving cancer treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 1012. Her family faced significant hardship shortly after their arrival, including a severe car accident that killed her father and sister and paralyzed her mother 310.
Salinas attended Christian Brothers University, where she graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry 111. She has also pursued a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences 4.
Career
Gabby Salinas earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Christian Brothers University in 2011 111. Her interest in science was sparked by her experiences as a patient and the curiosity aroused by her treatments 11. Upon graduation, she began working at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis 11. She is also described as pursuing a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences 4.
Salinas self-describes as a scientist and healthcare advocate 49. Her professional background is rooted in her work as a research scientist 1.
Office history
Gabby Salinas served as chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party, leading the local party to historic wins in 2022 9. She assumed this role after emerging as the new party chair at an online convention on August 28, following the withdrawal of former chairman Corey Strong from the balloting 7.
Salinas ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 97 in 2020 but did not win election to that office 4. She subsequently ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 96 in 2024, winning the Democratic primary with 43 percent of the vote against Telisa Franklin 13. In the November 2024 general election, she won unopposed, becoming the first Latina elected to the Tennessee legislature and the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to serve in that body 5913.
Salinas assumed office as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 96 on November 5, 2024 1. Her current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 1. She is running for re-election in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2026 1.
Legislative record and accomplishments
Gabby Salinas assumed office in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 96 on November 5, 2024 1. As a member of the Democratic Party, she serves as the first Latina elected to the Tennessee legislature and the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to hold a seat in the state’s House of Representatives 513. Her legislative work is informed by her background as a research scientist and three-time cancer survivor 49.
During her tenure, Salinas has focused on healthcare access and public safety. She sponsored legislation aimed at establishing a dedicated cold case unit within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to address the state's growing number of missing persons cases 6. In March 2026, she met with Yasser Lopez, an 18-year-old Memphis student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, highlighting her engagement with constituent issues regarding immigration enforcement 8.
Salinas is also active in party leadership, having previously served as the chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party, where she helped lead the local party to historic wins in 2022 79. She continues to advocate for policy positions rooted in her experience as a former St. Jude patient, including support for fully-funded public schools and fair wages 4.
Family
Gabby Salinas was born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia 2. In 1996, her family immigrated to the United States, initially arriving in New York before relocating to Memphis so she could receive life-saving cancer treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 10. She arrived in Memphis at age seven, unable to walk due to a tumor 5.
Shortly after their arrival in 1997, Salinas’ family was involved in a severe car accident that resulted in the death of her father and sister, while her mother was paralyzed 310. Salinas has described herself as a three-time cancer survivor 49.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
- State offices (Governor, US Senate, US Rep, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee) — Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Salinas”, and submit.
- County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Salinas”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Salinas”and, if needed, select the applicable position.