Mark Ridley-Thomas
Democratic
| Date | Party | Office | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-05-2002 | Democratic | AD-48 | 41280 | Win |
| 11-02-2004 | Democratic | AD-48 | 68289 | Win |
| 11-07-2006 | Democratic | SD-26 | 133309 | Win |
Candidate Biography:
Born: November 6, 1954 in Los Angeles, CA
Married: Avis Ridley-Thomas
Children: Sebastian and Sinclair (twins)
University: University of Southern California (Ph.D.; Social Ethics and Policy Analysis, 1989)
1991-2002: Member, Los Angeles City Council
2004-2006: Majority Caucus Chair, California State Assembly
2008: Resigned from the State Senate on November 30.
2008-2020: Member, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
2020-2022: Member, Los Angeles City Council
- Legal Troubles: In October 2021, Ridley-Thomas was charged with a total of 19 federal corruption charges (one count of Conspiracy, one count of Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds, two counts of Mail Fraud, and fifteen counts of Wire Fraud) in relation to finding employment for Sebastian Ridley-Thomas at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work following his resignation from the Assembly in late 2017. On October 20th, the Los Angeles City Council voted to formally suspend him from his duties. Ridley-Thomas remained on suspension until March 17, 2022, when the City Council voted to expell him. On March 30, 2022, Ridley-Thomas was convicted of one count of Conspiracy, one count of bribery, one count of mail fraud, and four counts of wire fraud. On August 28, 2023, Ridley-Thomas was sentenced to 42 months in prison.
- Ridley-Thomas took office as a Los Angeles County Supervisor on December 1st, 2008.
- HISTORIC: The longest continuous period in state history that the legislature has had at least once vacancy lasted 893 days from the resignation of State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas on November 30, 2008 to the inauguration of Assemblywoman Beth Gaines on May 12, 2011.
- Ridley-Thomas is one of nine legislators who served in both houses of the California State Legislature since 1990 but never termed out of either.
Source: California Legislature Handbook (2003-04)