Endorsements

“I support Richard because he knows how to bring people together to get things done for students. Richard was instrumental in bringing the Boards of our Community College District and the San Diego Unified Board of Education together to develop collaborative programs between our K-12 schools and our colleges to support students on their education journey.”

- GEYSIL ARROYO, President, Board of Trustees at the San Diego Community College District

Richard is proud to have the support of a broad coalition of leaders, advocates, and organizations who share his belief in equitable, student-centered public education.

    • Congressman Juan Vargas

    • Chula Vista Councilman Michael Inzunza

    • Chula Vista Councilman Cesar Fernandez

    • San Diego Councilman Steve Whitburn

    • San Diego Council Member Marni von Wilpert

    • Chula Vista School Board Member Lucy Ugarte

    • San Diego Unified School District Board Member Dr. Sharon Whitehurst Payne

    • San Diego Unified School District Board Member Sabrina Bazzo

    • San Diego Unified School Board President Dr. Cody Petterson

    • San Diego County Board of Education Member Gregg Robinson

    • Vista Unified School Board Member Cipriano Vargas

    • Sweetwater Board Trustee Paula Hall

    • Sweetwater School Board Trustee Marti Emerald

    • San Diego Unified School Board Member Shana Hazan

    • San Diego Council President Joe LaCava

    • San Ysidro School Board Member Antonio Martinez

    • Trustee, County Board of Education Erin Evans

    • President of the San Diego Community College Board Geysil Arroyo

    • San Diego Community College Board Trustee Craig Milgrim

    • Palomar Community College Trustee Roberto Rodriguez

    • Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College Trustee Debbie Justeson

    • Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College Trustee Julie Schorr

    • Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer

    • Former San Diego Community College Board Trustee Peter Zschiesche

    • Former SDUSD Board Member John Lee Evans

    • Former SDUSD Board Member Scott Barnett

    • Former Student Trustee, SD Unified Joseph Cruz

    • Former Student Trustee, SD Unified Quinton Baldis

    • Superintendent of the Sweetwater Union High School District Moises Aguirre

    • Superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District Dr. Eduardo Reyes

    • Deputy Secretary of Education; former SD Unified Superintendent Cindy Marten

    • CEO of Mission Neighborhood Center in San Francisco Richard Ybarra

    • Carlos & Linda LeGerrette, Cesar Chavez Service Clubs

    • Administrators Association of San Diego

    • Civil Rights Advocate & Labor Leader Ken Msemaji

    • Former Director, SD County Taxpayers Association Scott Barnett

    • President, National Student School Board Association Zachary Patterson

    • President, Chavista Student Congress Sanjana Ganguly Fitzgerald

    • CA Teacher of the Year Tammy Reina

    • SD Teacher of the Year Bill Freeman

    • Past President, SD High PTA Amy Denhart

    • Past Chair, McKinley Elementary School Site Council Amanda Robinson

    • San Diego Building Trades Council

    • San Diego Unified Police Officers Association

Recognized for Bold, Inclusive Leadership in Diverse Communities Across the State

Richard’s broad support reflects his lifelong commitment to increasing access to equity, opportunity and justice for all Californians.

His work has been recognized across the communities he’s served — from labor halls to classrooms, and from LGBTQ+ advocacy centers to immigrant rights organizations. His commitment to public education, worker justice, and inclusive leadership has earned him:

• San Diego County School Board Member of the Year – San Diego County School Boards Association

• Cesar Chavez Humanitarian Award – Barrio Station

• Executive Director’s Award – San Diego Education Association

• Labor Leader of the Year – San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council

• Harvey Milk Leadership Award – San Diego LGBT Center

• Visionary Leader Award – Center on Policy Initiatives

• Legislative Champion Award – California Association of International Baccalaureate World Schools

• Legislator of the Year – San Diego County Democratic Party

Learn more about Richard →