Dolores Gascon is an Oceanside native whose family has lived in the city since the early 20^th century. A graduate of UCLA and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, she spent her career in public service.

After more than 30 years of government and nonprofit professional experiences, both in New York City and more recently in the North County city of Vista, she retired in 2025. In her world, caring for others means supporting folks by meeting them where they are and accepting them as they are. Her philosophy is to lead with kindness and build community through open communication and transparency.

Dolores and her wife, Julie, were the first same sex couple, legally married by the Reverend Beth Johnson, at Vista’s Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in June 2008. These days she spends her free time supporting the San Diego Wave Fútbol Club, obsessing over 80’s music and hanging out with her dog, Atticus.