Ricardo Ortega is running for Antelope Valley Community College Governing Board Area 2 in the Nov. 3, 2026, California general election. The nonpartisan seat helps oversee Antelope Valley College, which serves students across the Antelope Valley.
Ortega's ballot designation is "CEO/Educational Advocate," according to the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk candidate list. He faces Arthur J. Calloway II and Newton Chelette in the race, according to BallotReady election data.
Candidate information
- Name: Ricardo Ortega
- Race: Antelope Valley Community College Governing Board, Area 2
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, according to his campaign website
- Background: Ortega says he is a former foster youth. His campaign website says he knows what it means to face barriers and what it means when education, mentorship and public service create a path forward.
Experience and public service
Ortega lists the following experience on his campaign website. His background spans government and nonprofit work.
- Chief executive officer at Pax Imperium
- Transitional Age Youth Program Manager at NAMI Greater Los Angeles County
- Statewide Policy and Legislative Manager at California Youth Connection
- Civil Service Commissioner, City of Huntington Park
- Immigration Commissioner, California 65th Assembly District under Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson
- Youth Commissioner, Los Angeles County Youth Commission
- Board member, California Mental Health Board for Transitional Age Youth
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Ortega's campaign website responses.
Student success and completion: Ortega says the goal should be for students to complete their degree, certificate or transfer pathway at Antelope Valley College. He says he would expand counseling, tutoring, academic planning and early support systems.
Career and workforce pathways: Ortega says AVC should be a direct pathway to good-paying careers in the Antelope Valley. He says he would support stronger workforce partnerships in healthcare, aerospace, logistics, skilled trades, education, public service and technology.
Equity and first-generation support: Ortega says he would fight for policies that close equity gaps for Latino students, Black students, first-generation students, English language learners, foster youth, veterans and working adults.
Transportation and campus access: Ortega says students across the Antelope Valley often travel long distances to reach campus. He says he would work to address transportation, parking and access barriers.
Affordable college and basic needs: Ortega says college affordability goes beyond tuition. He says he would advocate for stronger basic needs support, textbook affordability, emergency assistance and partnerships that help students stay enrolled.
Endorsements
The following endorsements are listed on Ortega's campaign website or on the endorsers' own social media pages:
- Fiona Ma, California state treasurer (via Facebook post)
- Jacqui Irwin, California State Assembly (via Facebook 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 is based on Ortega's campaign website questionnaire responses and public records. The Santa Monica Wave provides candidate profiles as a public service and does not endorse candidates.
