Speaker of the California State Assembly Karen Bass, Senator Barack Obama and Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Senator Ridley-Thomas is not only a California co-chair for the Barack Obama campaign, but was one of Senator Obama’s earliest and staunchest supporters. The two community organizers share much in common and have a strong friendship. In fact, when visiting California back in January, Obama singled out his “great friend,” Senator Ridley-Thomas, at the beginning of his remarks at L.A. Trade Trade Technical College.

Karen Bass is also an avid supporter of Senator Ridley-Thomas. See the Speaker’s enthusiastic video endorsement of the Senator here.

From left to right: Chip Matthews, Patrick Soon-Shiong, Senator Ridley-Thomas, Rick Caruso and Jerome Stanley.

L.A. Business Journal’s “Developer of the Year,” Rick Caruso, held an event on behalf of the Mark Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor campaign on Thursday, October 16th. Among the many business leaders in attendance were Abraxis BioScience CEO Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D., sports agent Jerome Stanley and attorney Chip Matthews.

From left to right: State Assemblyman Mike Eng, Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, State Board of Equalization Chair Judy Chu and State Controller John Chiang.

The photo above of Senator Ridley-Thomas with three of his endorsers was taken on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at a banquet for California State Board of Equalization Chair Judy Chu.

U.S. Congressman Howard Berman and Senator Ridley-Thomas were photographed together at yesterday’s AIDS WALK Los Angeles. Congressman Berman is one of many local U.S. Representatives supporting Mark Ridley-Thomas for County Supervisor. Others include Congresswoman Jane Harman, Congresswoman Hilda Solis, Congressman Brad Sherman and Congresswoman Diane E. Watson.

On Wednesday, October 15th, Senator Ridley-Thomas returned to the University of Southern California, where he earned his doctorate in Social Ethics and Policy Analysis, for the University’s government relations staff reception. Among those in attendance were USC President Steven Sample (photo at left) and former Heisman Trophy winner and longtime athletic director Mike Garrett (photo below).

The Community Coalition “works with African American and Latino residents of South Los Angeles to build a prosperous and productive South L.A. with safe neighborhoods, quality schools, a strong social safety net, and economic development based on community need.” Thus, one would expect that attending the Coalition’s candidate’s forum last night would be of paramount importance to anyone running for L.A. County Supervisor. But that was not the case for Bernard Parks whose seat remained empty the entire evening. Just more evidence that Bernard Parks is NOT who we thought he was.

Meanwhile, Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas answered every question from the approximately 100 concerned citizens in attendance.

Dolores Huerta is one of the all-time great community organizers and social activists. She co-founded the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) along with the legendary Cesar Chavez. Today Huerta serves as First Vice President Emeritus of the UFW and runs the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers of America have endorsed Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas for L.A. County Supervisor.

This photo was taken on Friday, October 3rd, at the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles Gala Dinner where Dr. Keith Black was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Dr. Black is a member of the Mark Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor campaign committee.

Henry Cisneros was formerly the Mayor of San Antonio, Texas and the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton.

Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas helps Tavis Smiley celebrate the 1,000th airing of his PBS show.

Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas is featured front and center on the latest cover of Our Weekly. The cover story is about the “Progress, perils and hope for the future” of the black male and the community at large.

Read the article.

Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas ran into Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villagairosa at the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center grand opening in Watts on Sunday, September 28th.

Speaker of the California State Assembly Karen Bass, Senator Barack Obama and Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas.