Vargas, Juan, 1961-

Juan Carlos Vargas (born March 7, 1961) is an American businessman and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the U.S. Representative for California's 51st congressional district since 2013.

Born in National City, California, he graduated magna cum laude with a BA from University of San Diego and earned an MA in Humanities from Fordham University in New York City. After college, Vargas joined the Jesuit Novitiate (introduction) in Santa Barbara. In the Jesuits, Vargas served in an orphanage in the civil-war-torn jungles of El Salvador. After leaving the Jesuits, he decided on law school and graduated in 1991 with a JD from Harvard Law School. After earning his JD, Vargas worked as an attorney in San Diego with the law firm of Luce, Forward, Hamilton and Scripps. In 1992, he decided to run for the newly created 50th congressional district, based in San Diego, placing fourth in the primary. Vargas was elected to the San Diego City Council in 1993. On the Council, he assumed a leadership role in planning, funding, and advocating for public safety, municipal infrastructure and schools. In 1996, Vargas unsuccessfully challenged Bob Filner in the Democratic primary for the 50th district seat.

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