Ricardo Ortega is running for the Antelope Valley Community College Governing Board Area 2 seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, California general election. The nonpartisan race also includes Arthur J. Calloway II and Newton Chelette, according to the LA County Registrar-Recorder candidate list.
The race is nonpartisan. Ortega, who describes himself as a former foster youth on his campaign website, said his experience facing barriers in education and public service drives his candidacy. He said he knows what it means when mentorship and education create a path forward.
Candidate information
- Name: Ricardo Ortega
- Ballot designation: CEO/Educational Advocate
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California (according to his campaign website)
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Ballot status: Certified for the ballot
Experience and public service
Ortega lists the following experience on his campaign website:
- Chief executive officer at Pax Imperium
- Statewide policy and legislative manager at California Youth Connection
- Transitional Age Youth Program Manager at NAMI Greater Los Angeles County
- Board member, California Mental Health Board for Transitional Age Youth
- Youth commissioner, Los Angeles County Youth Commission
- Immigration commissioner, California 65th Assembly District under Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson
- Civil service commissioner, City of Huntington Park
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Ortega's campaign website responses.
Student success and completion: Ortega said the college should focus on helping students complete their degree, certificate or transfer pathway. He said he would expand counseling, tutoring, academic planning and early support systems.
Career and workforce pathways: Ortega said the college should serve as a direct pathway to careers in the Antelope Valley. He said he would support workforce partnerships in healthcare, aerospace, logistics, skilled trades, education, public service and technology.
Transportation and campus access: Ortega said students across the Antelope Valley often travel long distances to reach campus. He said he would work to address transportation, parking and access barriers.
Equity and first-generation support: Ortega said the college serves Latino students, Black students, first-generation students, English language learners, foster youth, veterans and working adults. He said he would push for policies that close equity gaps.
Affordable college and basic needs: Ortega said college affordability extends beyond tuition to textbooks, transportation, food, rent and daily expenses. He said he would advocate for stronger basic-needs support, textbook affordability, emergency assistance and partnerships to help students stay enrolled.
Endorsements
The following endorsements are listed on Ortega's campaign website unless otherwise noted:
- Fiona Ma, California state treasurer (per a Facebook endorsement post)
- Jacqui Irwin, California State Assembly (per a Facebook endorsement post)
- George Whitesides, U.S. House of Representatives
- Laura Friedman, U.S. House of Representatives
- Los Angeles County Democratic Party
- Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs
- SEIU UHW
- UNITE HERE Local 11
Candidate information in this profile is drawn from Ortega's campaign website questionnaire responses, the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk candidate list and BallotReady election data. Policy positions reflect the candidate's own statements.
