Ricardo Lara
Encyclopedia
Ricardo Lara is a politician from Los Angeles County, California
who serves in the California State Assembly
, where he represents the 50th district. The 50th district encompasses the southeast Los Angeles County cities of Bell
, Bellflower
, Bell Gardens
, Commerce
, Cudahy
, Downey
, Lynwood
, South Gate
, and the unincorporated communities of Florence-Graham
and Walnut Park
.
Lara is a candidate for the California Senate in 2012, seeking the 33rd district seat.
where he earned a Bachelor of Art degree and served as student body president. He is currently pursuing a master's degree from the University of Southern California
.
A longtime Assembly staffer, Lara worked as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Marco Antonio Firebaugh
(D–South Gate) when Firebaugh served as Majority Leader. Lara later served as Fabian Nuñez
's district director during Nuñez's time as Speaker. He then served as communications director for Assemblyman Kevin de León
(D–Los Angeles).
, the cousin of Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
. Following a meeting at Getty House
, Villaraigosa's official residence, Pérez became the consensus candidate and the other candidates, including Lara, dropped their campaigns. Although the challengers' names remained on the ballot, Pérez won the primary comfortably and took the seat before being elected to the Speakership in late 2009.
Lara was subsequently appointed by Villaraigosa to the powerful Los Angeles Planning Commission, where he served until resigning to focus on his 2010 Assembly run in the 50th district. Running for the seat required Lara to move into the district, which does not include any part of the city of Los Angeles. Because LA planning commissioners are required to be residents of the city of Los Angeles, Lara therefore couldn't run for the 50th Assembly district whilst serving on the commission. He announced his candidacy for the seat in early 2009 and became a resident of Bell Gardens.
When Bell's entire city council was fired or resigned in disgrace, it left no majority in the city council to swear in the newly elected council in March 2011. Assemblyman Lara authored Assembly Bill 93, which was an emergency action empowering an appointed alternate to swear in the new council. On April 7, 2011, Lara swore in the entirely new city council.
. Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal
(D–Long Beach), wife of current senator Alan Lowenthal
, had already announced her intention to run for the seat, setting off a high-profile contest between two Assembly Democrats. Lara swiftly lined up a number of endorsements, including from Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
, the California Nurses Association and the California Latino Legislative Caucus, the last of which declared the race their number one target seat. An opinion poll also showed Lara favored to win the seat, giving him a 6-point lead over Lowenthal. Two weeks after Lara's entry into the race, Lowenthal dropped her bid for the Senate and announced that she would instead seek re-election to the Assembly. Lara is now the only Democrat seeking the heavily Democratic seat.
. He is one of eight openly LGBT
members of the California Legislature, alongside Speaker John Pérez
(D–Los Angeles), Assemblymembers Tom Ammiano
(D–San Francisco), Rich Gordon
(D–Menlo Park), Cathleen Galgiani
(D–Livingston) and Toni Atkins
(D–San Diego), as well as Senators Christine Kehoe
(D–San Diego) and Mark Leno
(D–San Francisco). His 2010 and 2012 campaigns won the support of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
.
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
who serves in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
, where he represents the 50th district. The 50th district encompasses the southeast Los Angeles County cities of Bell
Bell, California
Bell is a city in Los Angeles County, California. Its population was 35,477 at the 2010 census, down from 36,664 in the 2000 census. Bell is located on the west bank of the Los Angeles River and is a suburb of the city of Los Angeles...
, Bellflower
Bellflower, California
Bellflower is a city in Los Angeles County, California, and is a suburb of Los Angeles. It was incorporated on September 3, 1957. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 76,616, up from 72,878 at the 2000 census....
, Bell Gardens
Bell Gardens, California
Bell Gardens is a city in Los Angeles County, California. The population was 42,072 at the 2010 census, down from 44,054 at the 2000 census.Bell Gardens is notable for being one of only five Los Angeles County cities to permit casino gambling...
, Commerce
Commerce, California
Commerce is a city located in southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 12,823 at the 2010 census, up from 12,568 at the 2000 census. It is bordered by Vernon on the west, Los Angeles on the northwest, East Los Angeles on the north, Montebello on the east, Downey...
, Cudahy
Cudahy, California
Cudahy is a city located in southeastern Los Angeles County, California. In terms of area, Cudahy is the second smallest city in Los Angeles County, after Hawaiian Gardens. with one of the highest population densities of any incorporated city in the United States...
, Downey
Downey, California
Downey is a city located in southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city is best known as the birthplace of the Apollo space program, and is the city where folk singer Karen Carpenter lived and died...
, Lynwood
Lynwood, California
Lynwood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 69,772, down from 69,845 at the 2000 census. Lynwood is located near South Gate and Compton in the southern portion of the Los Angeles Basin. Incorporated in...
, South Gate
South Gate, California
South Gate is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The sixteenth largest city in Los Angeles County, it encompasses . South Gate is located just southeast of downtown Los Angeles It is part of the Gateway Cities region of southeastern Los Angeles County...
, and the unincorporated communities of Florence-Graham
Florence-Graham, California
Florence-Graham is a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 63,387 at the 2010 census, up from 60,197 at the 2000 census...
and Walnut Park
Walnut Park, California
Walnut Park is a census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 15,966 at the 2010 census, down from 16,180 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Walnut Park is located at ....
.
Lara is a candidate for the California Senate in 2012, seeking the 33rd district seat.
Early life and career
A native of Commerce, California, Lara attended LAUSD schools and graduated from San Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
where he earned a Bachelor of Art degree and served as student body president. He is currently pursuing a master's degree from the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
.
A longtime Assembly staffer, Lara worked as Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Marco Antonio Firebaugh
Marco Antonio Firebaugh
Marco Antonio Firebaugh was a Democratic member of the California State Assembly from 1998 until 2004.Born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, Firebaugh received a B.A...
(D–South Gate) when Firebaugh served as Majority Leader. Lara later served as Fabian Nuñez
Fabian Núñez
Fabian Núñez has been a labor union adviser and a Democratic politician. He served three two year terms as a member of the State Assembly, leaving office late in 2008...
's district director during Nuñez's time as Speaker. He then served as communications director for Assemblyman Kevin de León
Kevin de León
Kevin de León is a Democratic member of the California State Senate, elected to serve Los Angeles County's 22nd Senatorial district in November 2010. The district includes Downtown Los Angeles, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Mt...
(D–Los Angeles).
2008 State Assembly campaign
Lara was a candidate for the Assembly in 2008, seeking the Democratic nomination in the Los Angeles-based 46th district. He faced a number of well-connected challengers, including John PérezJohn Pérez
John A. Pérez is a union organizer and politician from Los Angeles, California, who has been the Speaker of the California State Assembly since March 1, 2010. A Democrat, he represents the 46th district in the California State Assembly.-Early life and career:Pérez grew up in El Sereno and Highland...
, the cousin of Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa , born Antonio Ramón Villar, Jr., is the 41st and current Mayor of Los Angeles, California, the third Mexican American to have ever held office in the city of Los Angeles and the first in over 130 years. He is also the current president of the United States Conference of...
. Following a meeting at Getty House
Getty House
The Getty House is the official residence of the mayor of Los Angeles. It is located at 605 S. Irving Boulevard in Windsor Square, a historic district located on the east of the Hancock Park district, and located approximately five miles west of Los Angeles City Hall. California.-History:Getty...
, Villaraigosa's official residence, Pérez became the consensus candidate and the other candidates, including Lara, dropped their campaigns. Although the challengers' names remained on the ballot, Pérez won the primary comfortably and took the seat before being elected to the Speakership in late 2009.
Lara was subsequently appointed by Villaraigosa to the powerful Los Angeles Planning Commission, where he served until resigning to focus on his 2010 Assembly run in the 50th district. Running for the seat required Lara to move into the district, which does not include any part of the city of Los Angeles. Because LA planning commissioners are required to be residents of the city of Los Angeles, Lara therefore couldn't run for the 50th Assembly district whilst serving on the commission. He announced his candidacy for the seat in early 2009 and became a resident of Bell Gardens.
2010 State Assembly campaign
Lara faced three primary challengers in his 2010 Assembly bid, two of whom had held elected office in the district. With the support of the state and local Democratic parties as well as the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Lara prevailed handily. He faced a Republican opponent in the general election and won overwhelmingly.In the State Assembly
Lara was sworn in as an assemblymember on December 6, 2010 and was appointed the chairman of the joint legislative audit committee. He also serves on the following committees: appropriations; banking and finance; higher education; and water, parks, and wildlife. He also chairs the select committee on financial empowerment.When Bell's entire city council was fired or resigned in disgrace, it left no majority in the city council to swear in the newly elected council in March 2011. Assemblyman Lara authored Assembly Bill 93, which was an emergency action empowering an appointed alternate to swear in the new council. On April 7, 2011, Lara swore in the entirely new city council.
2012 State Senate campaign
On October 19, 2011, Lara announced plans to run for the California Senate in the newly-drawn 33rd district in 2012. The district, which has a Hispanic majority, includes many of the communities he currently represents in the Assembly as well as much of the city of Long BeachLong Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
. Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal
Bonnie Lowenthal
Bonnie Lowenthal is a Democratic Assembly Member representing California's 54th State Assembly district. She was elected to that post in 2008 and re-elected in 2010...
(D–Long Beach), wife of current senator Alan Lowenthal
Alan Lowenthal
Alan S. Lowenthal has been a Democratic member of the California State Senate, representing the 27th District since 2004. He previously served in the California State Assembly representing the 55th Assembly district from 1998 until 2004...
, had already announced her intention to run for the seat, setting off a high-profile contest between two Assembly Democrats. Lara swiftly lined up a number of endorsements, including from Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
Linda Sánchez
Linda T. Sánchez is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. She is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
, the California Nurses Association and the California Latino Legislative Caucus, the last of which declared the race their number one target seat. An opinion poll also showed Lara favored to win the seat, giving him a 6-point lead over Lowenthal. Two weeks after Lara's entry into the race, Lowenthal dropped her bid for the Senate and announced that she would instead seek re-election to the Assembly. Lara is now the only Democrat seeking the heavily Democratic seat.
Personal
Lara is openly gayGay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
. He is one of eight openly LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
members of the California Legislature, alongside Speaker John Pérez
John Pérez
John A. Pérez is a union organizer and politician from Los Angeles, California, who has been the Speaker of the California State Assembly since March 1, 2010. A Democrat, he represents the 46th district in the California State Assembly.-Early life and career:Pérez grew up in El Sereno and Highland...
(D–Los Angeles), Assemblymembers Tom Ammiano
Tom Ammiano
Tom Ammiano is an American politician and LGBT rights activist from San Francisco, California. Ammiano is a Democrat who has served as a member of the California State Assembly since 2008, representing the 13th district...
(D–San Francisco), Rich Gordon
Rich Gordon
Richard S. Gordon is an American politician from Menlo Park, California who currently serves in the California State Assembly representing the 21st district...
(D–Menlo Park), Cathleen Galgiani
Cathleen Galgiani
Cathleen Galgiani is an American politician who currently serves in the California State Assembly, where she has represented the 17th district since December 2006...
(D–Livingston) and Toni Atkins
Toni Atkins
Toni G. Atkins is an American Democratic politician and a member of the California State Assembly from San Diego's 76th district. She formerly served on San Diego City Council, leaving office in December 2008 due to term limits...
(D–San Diego), as well as Senators Christine Kehoe
Christine Kehoe
Christine T. Kehoe is an American politician from San Diego, California. A Democrat, she has served since 2004 as a member of the California State Senate representing the 39th district...
(D–San Diego) and Mark Leno
Mark Leno
Mark Leno is an American politician, representing California's 3rd Senate district, which includes parts of San Francisco and Sonoma County, as well as the entirety of Marin County. He was elected in 2008 and is the first openly gay man to serve in the Senate...
(D–San Francisco). His 2010 and 2012 campaigns won the support of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is an American political action committee dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT public officials in US political life.The Victory Fund was founded in 1991...
.