Labor Powerhouse and Social Justice Champion SEIU California Stands with Richard Barrera for Superintendent of Public Instruction

“California deserves a fighter like Richard at the helm of one of our state’s most important institutions.”

(San Diego) The California State Council of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU California), a statewide labor council and social justice coalition of over 700,000 Californians, has chosen Democrat Richard Barrera as their endorsed candidate for the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. SEIU members include social workers, nurses, classroom aides and other classified school staff, state workers, security officers, college professors, home care workers, janitors, doctors, and more.

“Richard Barrera has shown us what true leadership looks like. He is tireless in his pursuit of quality public schools that offer every young person a pathway to future success,” says Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU California and SEIU Local 215. “Richard stands on the side of excellence, fairness, inclusion, and empathy. He also respects and rewards those who work on the front lines of education. California deserves a fighter like Richard at the helm of one of our state’s most important institutions – our public schools. He has SEIU’s enthusiastic support.”

As President of the San Diego Unified School District, where he has served on the Board of Trustees for nearly eighteen years, Richard Barrera led a reform movement that transformed San Diego Unified, the state’s second largest district and one of its most diverse, from a district in crisis into a model of success whose students rank first in the nation in reading and math among large urban school districts. Among large California districts, San Diego students also rank number one in graduation rates and college and career readiness.

At the same time, he has acted to ensure that students are free from discrimination, regardless of their immigration status, race, economic background, disability, or gender identity. He has also prioritized investment in front line educators and spearheaded the development of affordable housing for teachers and classified staff on under-utilized school district properties.

“SEIU’s members are the bedrock of our state’s network of support systems, from education to health care to social services to government. They are also extraordinary champions of economic, racial and social justice,” says Barrera. “I am thrilled to have them by my side in this election and in the future as we fight together for a California that is fair, exceptional, welcoming, and prosperous.”

Barrera is also endorsed by the California Democratic Party and the California Federation of Labor Unions. SEIU’s endorsement is part of a growing list of labor and social justice organizations supporting Barrera, including every major school-related union, led by the California Teachers Association (CTA), California Federation of Teachers (CFT), and the California School Employees Association (CSEA). Barrera is also endorsed by the Black American Political Association (BAPAC), Equality California (EQCA), the Environmental Health and Justice Coalition, and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. A complete list of those endorsing Barrera can be found at https://www.barreraforedu.com/641677865886 .

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Barrera is available for one-on-one interviews. Learn more about him at https://www.barreraforedu.com/

For more information contact Dale Kelly Bankhead, 619.549.3140, dkbankhead@yahoo.com