Elaine Alaniz is running for Los Angeles Community College District Board Seat 4 in the Nov. 3, 2026, California general election. The race is nonpartisan. Six other certified candidates are on the ballot: Adam Bruno, Darryn Harris, Isidro J. Armenta, Jason R. Aula, Nancy Pearlman and Priscilla Umana.

Asked why she is running, Alaniz said in our candidate questionnaire: "I have experienced firsthand what LACCD can do when education gives a student both an immediate skill and a reason to keep going. At Los Angeles City College, earning a degree initially felt out of reach."

Candidate information

Birthplace and background: Alaniz was born in Weslaco, Texas, and raised in Houston, Texas, according to NBC Los Angeles. She moved to Los Angeles in 2003.

Education: Asked about her education, Alaniz said in our questionnaire: "I earned an Associate of Arts in Film Production from Los Angeles City College and an Associate of Science in Fire Technology from Los Angeles Valley College. My path through community college was not traditional. I worked while attending school, managed financial pressures and other responsibilities, and earned certificates and practical skills along the way before completing my degrees." She also holds a bachelor's in business from Western Governors University, according to BallotReady.

Party affiliation: Alaniz said in our questionnaire: "Nonpartisan."

Experience and public service

Asked about her work history, Alaniz said in our questionnaire: "I currently serve as a Public Affairs Specialist with the United States Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Recovery … Previously, I worked for the South Bay Workforce Investment Board as a Healthcare Workforce Specialist, helping manage a $5 million healthcare High Road Training Partnership workforce initiative connecting education, training and employment." She also said: "Since 2015, I have also volunteered with the Los Angeles Mayor's Crisis Response Team, assisting individuals and families during traumatic incidents."

Asked about her elected service, Alaniz said: "I have served on the Westlake North Neighborhood Council since 2019, first as Treasurer from 2019 to 2021 and as President since 2021. I have been elected twice by my community. I was selected to serve on the L.A. REPAIR Participatory Budgeting Advisory Committee, representing the Westlake REPAIR Zone and helping guide the City's participatory budgeting process."

On the issues

What sets her apart: Asked about differences between herself and other candidates, Alaniz said in our questionnaire: "I am an LACCD graduate with two associate degrees, and my experience as a community college student is relatively recent … My vision goes beyond getting students enrolled. I want LACCD to create a clear bridge from education to economic opportunity, where a course can lead to a skill, a skill to a certificate, and those accomplishments can build toward a degree, transfer, career advancement or employment."

Healthcare workforce development: Asked what role LACCD should play in preparing students for healthcare careers, Alaniz said: "Employers, workforce boards, labor and educators should be at the table early, identifying where shortages exist and what skills and credentials are needed. I would prioritize partnerships that expand nursing and allied-health pathways, paid internships, apprenticeships, work-based learning and employer-supported training."

Top challenges: Asked about the most important challenges facing LACCD students, Alaniz said: "My three greatest concerns are keeping education relevant to a changing workforce, creating pathways that fit students' lives, and ensuring public dollars produce results." She said she would "expand evening, weekend, hybrid, online and accelerated pathways for working adults, parents and career changers while preserving academic rigor and faculty involvement."

Endorsements

BallotReady lists an endorsement from the Los Angeles County GOP.

Candidate responses were collected through the Platinum Tribune's candidate questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words and have not been edited for content.