Darryn Harris is running for the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees Seat 4 in the Nov. 3, 2026, California general election. Harris's official ballot designation is "Community College Educator," according to BallotPages.

The nonpartisan race includes six other certified candidates: Adam Bruno, Elaine Alaniz, Isidro J. Armenta, Jason R. Aula, Nancy Pearlman and Priscilla Umana, according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Ballot designation: Community College Educator
  • Education: Los Angeles Southwest College (attended), according to an AFT Local 1521 Faculty Guild newsletter; University of California, Los Angeles, according to Harris's LinkedIn profile
  • Personal: Harris describes himself as a lifelong Angeleno and first-generation college graduate who grew up in a working-class family, according to Adelante Magazine. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., according to his LinkedIn profile.

Experience and public service

Harris has held roles in government, health care and education, according to an AFT Local 1521 Faculty Guild newsletter published Oct. 22, 2025, and Adelante Magazine:

  • Educator, Santa Monica College (per Harris's LinkedIn profile)
  • Chief Government Affairs & Community Relations Officer, St. John's Community Health (starting July 2023, per AFT Local 1521)
  • Chief of Staff, Office of Congresswoman Karen Bass (per AFT Local 1521)
  • Senior Advisor, Office of Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (per AFT Local 1521)
  • District Director, Office of Assemblymember Steven Bradford (per AFT Local 1521)
  • Commissioner, Los Angeles County Commission on HIV (per Adelante Magazine)

On the issues

The following positions are Harris's own statements, drawn from his responses published in Adelante Magazine.

College affordability and student housing: Harris said affordability is "at the top of the list." He called for bolder thinking on student and workforce housing, including exploring how district-owned land could be part of the solution. He said affordability extends beyond housing to transportation, childcare, food, health care and books.

Career and transfer pathways: Harris said he wants stronger pathways into good-paying careers and four-year universities. He said faculty and staff need more resources and support. "A student should never enroll in community college and then hit a wall," Harris said in his Adelante Magazine questionnaire response. He said every student should have a clear next step, whether transferring, learning a trade, earning a credential or entering a career.

LGBTQ+ representation: Harris said the people making decisions should understand the communities affected by those decisions. He said Los Angeles community colleges serve LGBTQ+ students, immigrants, working adults, first-generation students, veterans, parents, students of color and people returning to school later in life. Those voices need representation, he said.

Endorsements

The following endorsement was reported in the AFT Local 1521 Faculty Guild newsletter published Oct. 22, 2025:

  • A. James McKeever PhD, Los Angeles College Faculty Guild, AFT Local 1521 — McKeever said the union selected Harris as its candidate for Seat 4, citing his experience and his commitment to students and labor.

Candidate issue positions in this profile are drawn from Harris's published questionnaire responses in Adelante Magazine. They reflect the candidate's own statements, not the views of this outlet.