He served as municipal president of Ensenada from 1986 to 1989. He inherited a bankrupt city government and governed amid an openly adversarial relationship with the PRI state administration. His term became associated with restoring the municipal finances.
He served as governor of Baja California from 1989 to 1995, the first opposition governor in Mexican history. His administration promoted a state electoral institute in 1994, a human-rights ombudsman's office in 1990, water-infrastructure works, and foreign investment attraction.
During the Vicente Fox administration he held federal responsibilities on northern border and migration affairs.
He served in the Senate with committee responsibilities on the northern border and fisheries and aquaculture.
He served in the LXIV Legislature of the Chamber of Deputies.