Evaristo Salas Jr. was convicted of killing 24-year-old Jose Arreola in 1995. He was 16 years old when he began what would become a 27-year sentence.

It turned out to be a wrongful conviction, and he was released from prison in 2023. Since his release, he has dedicated his time to helping the young population of Sunnyside. He mentored at-risk students at Grandview School District while studying social work and criminal justice at Columbia Basin College.

Now, following the November general election, Salas Jr. holds a commanding lead for a seat on the Sunnyside School Board.

Salas Jr. received 245 votes (61.7%) compared to Laura Galvan earning 150 votes (37.8%).

“I’m surprised and happy about it,” Salas told The Washington State Standard . “I put in a lot of work.”

In the August pri

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