Tomás Oliva was born in Los Angeles, CA, but raised in El Centro and considers Imperial County to be his home. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science – Public Law from the University of California, San Diego and a master’s degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University.

After his undergraduate studies, he became a Polanco Fellow from 2007-2008, where he worked in the CA State Assembly. From 2008-2010, he served as a Legislative Assistant for the CA Assembly Member representing Imperial County. Afterwards, he served as the Regional Affairs Officer for Imperial & Coachella Valleys for the Southern California Association of Governments from 2011-2015.

From 2016 to 2024, he served as the Senior Representative to U.S. Congressmen Juan Vargas and Dr. Raul Ruiz in Imperial County.

In his spare time, he gives back to the community by working in different capacities such as being an Adjunct Professor in the Political Science Department at Imperial Valley College since 2016, serving on the El Centro City Council since 2018, and being a Member of the Board of Trustees for the El Centro Regional Medical Center since 2022.