Who is Alfonso Salazar?

I believe I embody resilience and hard work. Born in San Antonio, Texas, I grew up witnessing my mother juggle two jobs just to try to provide for our family. Her determination instilled in me the importance of perseverance. She taught me through her actions that in tough times, it's crucial to keep pushing forward, even if it feels like you're just treading water.

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Life was already hard enough for my single mom, and then everything shattered when my older sister was murdered in a senseless act of gun violence. In that moment, our world changed forever. I felt lost, without direction, and unsure of how to move forward. But I was blessed; it really does take a village. Five incredible women from my community stepped in, determined to keep me from becoming another tragic statistic. They refused to let me end up dead or behind bars, and because of them, I found hope when I needed it most.

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Even while growing up poor, I always held on to the belief that I could create a better life -- not just for myself, but for my family. And deep down , I carried the hope that one day I'd be able to give back, just as so many others had once given to me. The truth was, my options were limited, and I wasn’t sure how to break free from the struggle I was born into. Then two of my best friends convinced me to take a leap of faith and join the military and that decision changed everything. What started as a step toward stability turned into a 12-year journey that shaped who I am today. I served with the Texas Air National Guard, Active Duty Air Force, and as an employee of the State of Texas. My primary role was as a Military Police Officer, Security Forces, but the training and experiences went far beyond the uniform. I learned discipline, resilience, and leadership through countless opportunities, the kind that are too many to list. The military took me places I never imagined I’d go. I’ve traveled the world, faced challenges that tested me to my core, and achieved things I never dreamed were possible. That choice, born out of hope and necessity, became the foundation for the life I’m building today. The Air Force Core Values are Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do. I strive everyday to continue to live up to these values that were instilled in me by true heroes.  

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Most importantly, the military gave me something I never thought possible; it gave me the chance to be the first in my family to graduate from college. I poured everything I had into that dream and, in just two years, I earned my BA from the University of Texas at Austin. From there, I pushed forward and attended Baylor Law School, where I graduated with my Juris Doctorate, focusing on criminal law. All of this happened while I was still training and serving in the Armed Forces. In 2019, after my last deployment, I made the difficult decision to hang up my uniform so I could fully dedicate myself to building my career in law. I’ve lived through so many experiences both challenges and triumphs that shaped who I am today. This is just the beginning of my story. If you’re still reading and want to know more, I’d be honored to share, whether it’s in person or through our contact page.