Endorsements

“Richard Barrera’s track record of achieving student success is unmatched. That’s why I asked him to join us at the California Department of Education — to share San Diego Unified’s accomplishments throughout the state. And that’s why I support him in this election.”

- Tony Thurmond, Current California Superintendent of Public Instruction

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.

    • Tony Thurmond Current California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

    • Congressman Juan Vargas

    • State Senator Art Torres (Ret)

    • Former LA Unified Board President, Former Member of the Assembly Jackie Goldberg

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

    • San Diego County Treasurer Larry Cohen

    • Chula Vista Councilman Michael Inzunza

    • Chula Vista Councilman Cesar Fernandez

    • San Diego Councilman Steve Whitburn

    • San Diego Council Member Marni von Wilpert

    • City of South San Francisco Council Member James Coleman

    • San Diego City Council Member Raul Campillo

    • National School Board President Michelle Gates

    • President of the San Diego County Board of Education Dr. Gregg Robinson

    • Antioch Unified School District Board Trustee Dr. Jaguanana Lathan

    • Elk Grove Unified School Board Vice President Sean Yang

    • Oakland School Board President Jennifer Brouhard

    • Oakland School Board Vice President Valerie Bachelor

    • Oakland School Board Trustee VanCedric Williams

    • Oakland School Board Trustee Rachel Latta

    • Oxnard Union High School Board President Karen Sher, M.Ed

    • San Diego Unified School Board President Dr. Cody Petterson

    • 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 Member Shana Hazan

    • San Diego County Board of Education Member Gregg Robinson

    • Vista Unified School Board Member Cipriano Vargas

    • Chula Vista School Board Member Lucy Ugarte

    • Sweetwater Board Trustee Paula Hall

    • Sweetwater School Board Trustee Marti Emerald

    • San Diego Council President Joe LaCava

    • San Ysidro School Board President Zenaida Rosario

    • 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

    • Jefferson Union High School District, Board Vice President, Rosie Tejada

    • Jefferson Union High School District, Board Clerk, Andy Lie

    • Former State Assembly Member, Mayor of Chula Vista, and Community College Board of Governors, Mary Salas

    • Former Trustee, San Bernardino Unified School Board Dr. Barbara Flores

    • Former Trustee San Diego Community College Board Peter Zschiesche

    • Former San Diego Unified School Board Member Dr. Mike McQuarry

    • Former SDUSD Board Member John Lee Evans

    • Former Jefferson Union HSD President and Trustee Kalimah Salahuddin

    • 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

    • (UASC) United Administrators Southern California

    • (AASD) Administrators Association San Diego City Schools

    • (AACV) Administrators Association Chula Vista

    • (AASU) Administrators Association Sweetwater Union

    • The Sacramento Bee

    • The Fresno Bee

    • The Modesto Bee

    • The Merced Sun-Star

    • The Tribune

    • (EAPD) East Area Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles

    • Latino Democrats of San Francisco

    • San Francisco’s Bernal Heights Democrats

    • San Diego Young Democrats

    • San Diego Democrats for Equality

    • Women’s Democratic Club of San Diego

    • Black Mountain Democratic Club

    • Carlos & Linda LeGerrette, Co-Founders of San Diego’s Preeminent Youth Leadership Development Program

    • 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

    • Former President and CEO, Farmworkers Institute of Education and Leadership Development (FIELD) David Villarino

    • California Teachers Association (CTA)

    • United Domestic Workers (UDW)

    • Administrator’s Association of San Diego

    • San Diego Building Trades Council

    • San Diego Unified Police Officers Association

    • United Taxi Workers of San Diego

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

• Service 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 →