Supervisor-elect Mark Ridley-Thomas will formally resign his position as an elected member of the California State Senate on Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 12:00 a.m. (midnight).
Senator Ridley-Thomas formally communicated his intent to resign on Sunday night in a letter delivered on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 to the state Senate President and Senate President Pro Tempore.
Senator Ridley-Thomas’ pending resignation of his seat in the California State Senate paves the way for his oath of office and swearing-in ceremony as an elected member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas said, “My resignation from the California State Senate ends the chapter of my tenure as a legislative leader in our State Capitol and it turns the page on a new chapter in my life of public service in local government. I look back fondly on my time in the state Assembly and Senate. I am proud of my accomplishments as a policy-maker. I care deeply about the people I served.
“I am energized by the challenges that lie ahead. My move to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors comes with a strong voter mandate for change, empowerment and results on important issues, such as health services, public safety, and economic development and jobs. This is as invigorating a homecoming as any public official could ever hope for. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for the people of the 2nd District,” he added.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas transmitted his letter of resignation – effective at midnight on Sunday, November 30 – to California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, serving in his capacity as President of the Senate, and to state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, chair of the Senate Rules Committee.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas was elected to represent the people of the county’s Second District on the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 on a 61%-39% vote with a margin of victory of more than 111,000 votes over defeated challenger, L.A. City Council member Bernard C. Parks, in an election where voters chose change over the status quo and picked the next generation of leadership that promised to deliver results on critical voter concerns. The official vote certification in the 2nd District is expected by Tuesday, December 2.
In his letter of resignation from the state Senate, Mr. Ridley-Thomas formally recommended that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger – pursuant to state law governing elections to fill vacant legislative seats – schedule a special election to fill his vacant Senate seat on Tuesday, March 3, 2009. Mr. Ridley-Thomas indicated that consolidating the special state legislative election with local elections on March 3 in the City and County of Los Angeles could reduce the projected $1.5 million in local government election costs of administering a separate election solely for the voters of the 26th District.
State law provides Governor Schwarzenegger with a 14-day deadline from the effective date of a state legislator’s formal resignation to issue a proclamation setting the precise date for a special election too fill a vacant legislative seat.
In his resignation letter, Mr. Ridley-Thomas wrote, “It has been an honor to serve the constituents of the 26th Senate District. I have enjoyed working with my Senate colleagues and legislative staff whose commitment to public service remains an inspiration for my own work.”
“Although I am moving to a new public service assignment, I look forward to engaging members of the Legislature on important policy issues on an ongoing basis, especially members in the Senate – the body for which I have the utmost respect and regard – in our continuing effort to make government work for the people we represent,” Mr. Ridley-Thomas added.
Ridley-Thomas wins every neighborhood in the district by consolidating new voters and building on primary election lead among highest propensity voters
Ridley-Thomas’ support grew as Parks hit his ceiling
But after finishing the primary election with a 45%-39% lead, Ridley-Thomas grew his support rate by 17% while Parks’ rate support dropped one point in the November election.
Even though Ridley-Thomas has not been the 8th District Council representative for six years – and even though Parks has represented the district for those six years since, the Senator beat the Councilmember by a 59%-41% in Parks’ own 8th Council District. He beat him in the southern end of the district, the City of Carson, 60%-40%. He beat him on the Westside and the north end of the district, with margins of 64%-36% in L.A. Council District 11 (Rosendahl), 65%-35% in L.A. Council District 5 (Weiss), and 65%-35% in Culver City. And Ridley-Thomas dominated in Latino areas of the district as well, with margins of 72%-28% in Lynwood, and 68%-32% in L.A. Council District 1 (Reyes).
Targeting new voters
Entering the runoff election, polling in August revealed that Ridley-Thomas led Parks by 13% among the most likely voters. However, among those who were likely to vote in the exciting November election, Parks and Ridley-Thomas were in a near dead heat.
That’s why the Ridley-Thomas campaign focused on voters who did not vote in the primary, but who were likely to vote in November. This was no small task, because more than three times as many voters who voted in June voted on November 4th, so there were literally hundreds of thousands of voters to persuade. More than 39,000 2nd District voters registered between October 1 and the 15-day new registration cutoff before the election. Bernard Parks started out being significantly better known among these voters.
So why did these voters break so heavily for Ridley-Thomas? While he held his own among older and middle-aged voters, Ridley-Thomas dominated Parks among the younger voters and new voters who came out to vote for change. These voters were a disproportionately large part of the voters who turned out for the November election but not the June or even February elections.
Change vs. The Status Quo
All polling reflected that voters of all ages saw Ridley-Thomas as the candidate who would bring change, and as part of the next generation of leaders. While Parks had what used to be the dominant endorsements in the African-American community – including Congresswoman Maxine Waters and incumbent Supervisor Yvonne Burke – voters instead wanted a change in representation, and were not swayed by Parks’ endorsers. Parks – with the support of a majority of the Board of Supervisors – clearly represented the status quo to voters. This is not the right year to be positioned that way, especially with the failure and closure of King-Harbor Hospital on their watch. Parks worsened his problems by defending the status quo at King-Harbor at a time when it was delivering inadequate care to the community, in contrast to Ridley-Thomas who has been at the forefront in the fight for change at the hospital for some time.
The voters found Ridley-Thomas’ background as a grassroots community organizer who works for change and delivers results to be much more relevant and important. The fact that Ridley-Thomas is a legislator who approaches his job as an organizer was a very appealing feature for all voters, but especially new voters.
Parks’ tactic of running a 100% negative campaign also backfired. His attacks (and the Independent Expenditure attacks) on Ridley-Thomas on economic development were just not credible in contrast to Ridley-Thomas’ well-publicized accomplishments. And Parks focused a great deal of his resources attacking Ridley-Thomas’ supporters, especially union workers. This also proved to be a grave mistake for two reasons: 1) this district includes thousands and thousands of union and other blue-collar workers; and 2) even non-union and white collar workers, retirees and homemakers think highly of working families and unions.
In the end, polling revealed that voters realized that Bernard Parks is not who they thought he was – and they had a much better alternative by voting for a candidate who fights for change and delivers results, and a candidate who represents the next generation of leadership: Mark Ridley-Thomas.
Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas voted earlier today with his wife, Avis, and his son, Sebastian, at Transfiguration Catholic Church. His other son, Sinclair, could not get away from Morehouse College and voted absentee ballot.
Sebastian Ridley-Thomas talks about civic responsibility, voting and this historic day.
If you haven’t done so already, please go out and vote!
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.
Ridley-Thomas Engaged 2nd District Voters on ‘Election Saturday’, holding a Major GOTV Rally in Final Weekend Drive to Nov. 4 Vote
Approximately 300 supporters showed up to the Mark Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor campaign headquarters on Saturday for a major Get Out The Vote (GOTV) rally. Video from the event follows below…
Dr. Cornel West helped get the party started by joining 72-year-old volunteer Joe Stringer on an improvised dance floor!
Later, Dr. Cornel West pumped up the large standing room only crowd as only he can:
“When [Senator Ridley-Thomas] decided to run, I said I’m coming back again. Why? Because every election he’s had for 30 years I’ve been standing right by his side. Oh yes! Oh yes!
That’s why the folks call me up on the radio and TV and say, ‘Brother West, we want your endorsement’. No, endorsement is too weak. This is a wholesale, unequivocal, affirmation of who he is as a human being committed to unconditional truth and unconditional love and politics is just the vehicle for it.
That’s the kind of states-person we need. And that’s what you got here in L.A. County.”
Senator Ridley-Thomas followed Dr. Cornel West with a rousing speech of his own where he implored supporters to keep working “wall to wall until 7:59 p.m. [Tuesday] and then I’m going to squeeze the death out of that last minute”.
Earlier in the program, State Controller and Ridley-Thomas supporter, John Chiang, spoke about the sweeping change coming on election day:
“On Tuesday when we elect Barack Obama as President of the United States of America, when we elect Mark Ridley-Thomas as our next great county supervisor, we’re going to send a signal from the eastern shores to the midwest cornfields to the Rocky Mountains to our home here in Los Angeles, California that our hopes and dreams are alive.”
Prior to Chiang’s remarks, State Board of Equalization Chair, Judy Chu, enthusiastically endorsed Senator Ridley-Thomas:
“I’m so excited. I’ve known Mark Ridley-Thomas for 25 years now — ever since he was Director of SCLC. And ever since I’ve known him, he’s always been committed to equality, to justice and to the people. And that’s the type of person we need at the Board of Supervisors.”
Many other community leaders - including Inglewood City Councilman Daniel Tabor, L.A. County Young Democrats President Becca Doten, LAUSD Board of Education President Monica Garcia, and Cerritos Councilmember Joseph Cho, Ph.D - spoke about the importance of electing Mark Ridley-Thomas to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
In just a few days, California and the entire nation will participate in an extraordinary election. This election will be historic not simply because it marks the first time a major party candidate is a person of color or that the Republican vice presidential nominee is female, but also because it has generated incredible interest and blockbuster voter registration numbers. This election has particularly energized young people, who heretofore were the most apathetic, disaffected and unreliable members of the electorate. Given this level of excitement, this Election Day, perhaps more so than at any other time in history, provides the perfect opportunity for parents to engage their children about the election and have them participate in and witness this momentous occasion.
Senator Ridley-Thomas voting with his wife and two sons at the June primary election.
Election officials, based on media accounts of voter enthusiasm and coverage of early voting activities in other states, are predicting record levels of voter turnout on November 4th. Early voting sites across the nation are reporting long lines for eager citizens wanting to cast their votes. It is likely that Californians will also experience long delays at polling places on Election Day and officials are concerned people may be discouraged by the potential wait.
Despite any delays or issues that may occur at polling places, this is an opportune time for parents to bring their sons and daughters to the polls so they too can experience the excitement of election day and learn what to expect when they cast their first vote. California law grants workers two hours of paid time off to exercise their right to vote. I encourage parents to take full advantage of the law by leaving work early and picking up their kids from school or after school activities so they can accompany them to the polls. If there are long lines at the polling place, is there a better way to spend the time than educating your child or children about the rights and responsibilities of the citizens?
Election Day activities do not end once your ballot has been cast. In fact, the events last into the night as the polls will be open until 8 p.m. and perhaps later to accommodate the eager, but patient citizens waiting to cast their vote. I urge you to allow your children to participate and observe all of the activity of day, but only after they have completed their homework, household chores and other responsibilities. Permit them to stay up later than what is normally acceptable so you can watch the election coverage and election returns as a family. Discuss all of the issues of the day with them, from the top of the ticket right down to the local issues. Regardless of the outcome, I am confident that the experience will be a positive one and will shape the way your children will approach future elections.
Given the historical significance of this election and the crucial issues facing our country, November 4th is the perfect day to actively engage our children in a civics lesson and given them the opportunity to witness democracy in action. By doing so, parents will sow the seeds of civic participation and democracy that our children will harvest in the future.
On Tuesday, October 28th, Senator Ridley-Thomas faced off against Bernard Parks at the final candidates forum. The video above is the closing statement delivered by Senator Ridley-Thomas at the Thomas A. Edison Middle School Auditorium. The event was sponsored by the Florence Firestone Chamber of Commerce.
1. Larry Aubry endorses Mark Ridley-Thomas for Supervisor in a must read Op-Ed in yesterday’s Los Angeles Sentinel:
“The county’s 2nd Supervisorial District deserves visionary, progressive leadership and State Senator Mark- Ridley Thomas fits the bill. His integrity, intelligence and audacious courage in the face of adversity have enabled him to navigate the truculent political terrain with his principles intact. He has precisely the leadership characteristics needed to meet the 2nd District’s daunting challenges.
The choice is clear. There are fundamental differences between Ridley-Thomas and his opponent, L.A. City Councilman Bernard Parks, who tends to favor business interests over residents’ concerns and at times, seems oblivious to systemic factors that negatively affect communities of color.
Ridley-Thomas’s world view, philosophy and political priorities differ substantially from Parks’; his group-oriented emphasis, challenges the prevailing individual/materialistic model that infuses America’s values and traditional politics. (To their detriment, Blacks have internalized these values.) Ridley-Thomas’s firm grounding in civil and human rights informs his politics and life’s work. His strategies are designed to change the existing political and economic landscape; his proposals and legislation at both the city and state levels reflect Mark’s deep concern for actual change.”
3. “Dermot Givens, a lawyer and political consultant who used to work for Bernard Parks” predicts that Ridley-Thomas will win the Supervisors race because of “a better-run campaign and because Parks has surrounded himself with figures like [Yvonne] Burke, [Magic] Johnson and Rep. Maxine Waters.” “He’s surrounded himself with the old guard,” Givens said. “This is an election cycle for change.”
4. L.A. Observed posted a nice photo of Senator Ridley-Thomas voting in the June primary election with his wife and two sons.
5. LAPD Reform Officers endorse Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas for 2nd District Supervisor:
“This endorsement is based on Senator Ridley-Thomas’ record of leadership as the head of the Los Angeles Southern Christian Leadership Conference, leadership on the Los Angeles City council, leadership in the California State Legislature, and his record and position on issues important to the citizens of Los Angeles and California.”
6. Senator Ridley-Thomas encourages Californians and the Nation to make Election Day a family affair in an Op-Ed posted at California Progress Report:
“Given the historical significance of this election and the crucial issues facing our country, November 4th is the perfect day to actively engage our children in a civics lesson and give them the opportunity to witness democracy in action. By doing so, parents will sow the seeds of civic participation and democracy that our children will harvest in the future.”
7. Betty Pleasant has an easy solution for remembering who and what to vote for on November 4th:
“So, when you go to the polls Tuesday, keep it simple and vote “yes” on Barack Obama; “yes” on Mark Ridley-Thomas and “no” on just about everything else.”
8. Ridley-Thomas Crisscrosses 2nd District Ahead of Final Weekend’s GOTV Push to Nov. 4 General Election Vote
Friday, October 31, 2008 – State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas will crisscross the sprawling Second District today to deliver his message of “Working for Change & Delivering Results” when he pays a visit to teachers and school children in Exposition Park, senior citizens and caregivers in Carson, and families served by a learning complex in South Los Angeles.
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Ridley-Thomas Delivers for Education
Alexander Science Center School
700 State Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037
United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), L.A. School Board President Monica Garcia, L.A. School Members Marguerite Poindexter-LaMotte, Yolie Flores Aguilar and Marlene Canter, and the L.A. County Education Association have endorsed Sen. Ridley-Thomas. He will join teachers and elementary school children in their celebration of Halloween. Sen. Ridley-Thomas will serve as a judge for the students’ annual Halloween costume contest.
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Ridley-Thomas Delivers for Senior Citizens
City of Carson Senior Recreation Center
801 E. Carson Street
Carson, CA 90745
Sen. Ridley-Thomas engineered a $28 million investment in senior housing and community-based senior citizen service centers. He passed legislation to protect client choice in In-Home Support Services. He passed state laws to provide low-cost prescription drugs needed by seniors on fixed incomes. Ridley-Thomas will join 1,000 seniors at a luncheon in the Carson; including many that attended his “Senior Scam Stoppers” Town Hall meetings held this year in his 26th Senate District.
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Ridley-Thomas Delivers for Families
Rita D. Walters Learning Complex
915 W. Manchester Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90044
As part of a $500 million economic development agenda while serving on the Los Angeles City Council, Senator Ridley-Thomas spearheaded the development of the mixed-use Rita Walters Learning Complex. The complex houses a school, community clinic and a soon-to-opened school-based health clinic. NOTE: Sen. Ridley-Thomas passed legislation to expand school-based health clinics to serve the health needs of 6 million young people at schools statewide.
9. Don’t miss tomorrow’s Get Out The Vote rally with Dr. Cornel West. More info here.
Speaker of the California State Assembly Karen Bass offers a heartfelt endorsement of Mark Ridley-Thomas for L.A. County Supervisor:
“I have worked with Mark Ridley-Thomas for over 30 years and, like Barack Obama, Mark Ridley-Thomas was a community organizer, a civil rights leader, a legislator. We’ve been serving in the State Assembly and Senate together for the last few years. And he has the same set of values I do — a strong, deep commitment to social and economic justice.
And frankly, the Board of Supervisors in Los Angeles County, that is the institution that, from my point of view, manages the lives of poor folks. And I believe that his commitment to improving the quality of life for those in our society who are the most vulnerable makes him the most qualified to do the job.”
Senator Ridley-Thomas and Speaker Bass Rally Dems at West L.A. Headquarters
Speaker Bass: “Let me just tell you that the Obama factor up and down this state is going to have us picking up seats in the Assembly, and in the Senate and we have to take advantage of this opportunity and send Mark Ridley-Thomas to the County Board of Supervisors.”
