Washington, D.C. — Latino Victory Fund endorsed Ricardo Lara for re-election as California insurance commissioner. The organization endorsed Lara in 2018 when he made history by becoming the first Latino insurance commissioner and first LGBTQ statewide elected official in California.
Statement by Nathalie Rayes, Latino Victory Fund President and CEO:
“We are thrilled to support Ricardo once again in his bid for insurance commissioner. Ricardo is a seasoned public servant and a well-rounded leader committed to improving the lives of Californians. If he is re-elected, he will continue to protect consumers and families and focus on climate risk and wildfires as top priorities for the protection of California’s communities. As a state legislator and insurance commissioner, Ricardo has worked to improve the quality of life, well-being and safety of Californians. We’re ready to stand with him to ensure he continues representing and fighting for the people of California.”
Meet Ricardo Lara
Ricardo Lara made history in 2018 when he became the first openly gay statewide elected official in California. Latino Victory Fund endorsed Lara in this election. He is now facing his first re-election. Grounded in his East Los Angeles upbringing and raised by a factory worker and a seamstress, Lara has built a record of uniting people around tough challenges and delivering results that improve their lives. Lara is a lifelong resident of Southeast Los Angeles and a product of Los Angeles public schools.
Lara previously served in the California Legislature, representing Assembly District 50 from 2010 to 2012 and Senate District 33 from 2012 to 2018.
Lara has dedicated his life and career to public service. As a student at San Diego State University, he demonstrated his interest in government while serving as vice president of the Associated Student Inc. (ASI).
Lara went on to work with the late Assembly Member Marco Antonio Firebaugh on the landmark AB540 legislation that opened the doors for undocumented students to pursue higher education. Since then, his dedication to serving the most vulnerable in the state has not wavered. He also worked as a legislative staffer for years, including working for State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez and State Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Léon. In 2010, Lara was elected to the California State Assembly and, in 2012, he was elected to the California State Senate. Upon his election to the Senate, Lara made history by becoming the first openly gay person of color elected to the California State Senate.
Lara’s colleagues in the Legislature quickly recognized his leadership abilities. In his first term, he was elected chair of the influential California Legislative Latino Caucus and currently serves as vice-chair of the California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus. He is also an active member of the California LGBT Caucus and a board member of the Equality California Institute.
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The Latino Victory Fund is a progressive political action committee with the mission of growing Latino political power by increasing Latino representation at every level of government – from the school board to the Senate to the White House.
