Before going to the Assembly, Salinas was a County Supervisor, a City Council Member, a community college instructor, and an elementary school teacher.

He surprised the political establishment by not challenging Republican incumbent Jeff Denham for the California State Senate district 12.

This was the beginning of his experience as a farmworker over a 15-year period of fieldwork that included many migratory moves between the states of California and Texas, working in cotton and orange fields and whatever else was in season.

Due to the seasonal farmwork they followed, Simón moved constantly and never fully settled for long periods of time in one place.

He graduated from Watsonville High School in 1974, and then went on to Claremont McKenna College to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Latin American Studies in 1978.

He authored legislation addressing issues in affordable housing, agriculture, healthcare, public safety, transportation, local government, and education.

He was Chair of the Select Committee on Rural Economic Development and vice president and co-founder of Caminos Del Arte, a non-profit organization that provides services for at-risk youth.

He was also a supporter of raising taxes, universal healthcare, improving social services, closing loopholes in Proposition 13, and independent redistricting.