Mara Elliott served the City of San Diego as the San Diego City Attorney, redefining the role with her unwavering commitment to protecting families, standing up to special interests, and creating a safer city for all. The first woman and first Latina elected to the office, Mara is a national leader in gun violence prevention, consumer advocacy, and support for victims of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and elder abuse.
Mara worked with law enforcement and the courts to launch San Diego’s groundbreaking response to public safety. She and her team trained more than 500 law enforcement agencies throughout the state on San Diego’s approach to public safety so that they could create their own programs.
Mara relaunched Your Safe Place, the nation’s first one stop shop for victims of domestic violence, by expanding vital services to survivors of sex trafficking and partnering with the legislature and local elected leaders to secure dedicated shelter for these victims and their families.
The daughter of a longshoreman and a secretary, Mara was the first in her family to graduate from college. Before her 2016 election, she served as legal counsel to school districts, the local transit authority, and the County of San Diego.
Mara recently completed two terms as the elected City Attorney for San Diego, an independent watchdog position created by and accountable to voters. Mara earned a reputation for fighting for the people she represents – something she will continue to do for the residents of Senate District 40.