Why Richard Barrera
Richard Barrera has devoted his life to fighting for working people. As the President of the San Diego Unified School District for the last 16 years, he has turned one of California’s largest districts into one of the highest performing in the country—by working with teachers to invest in students and classrooms. Barrera has earned the endorsement of 310,000 educators in California in CTA with his proven track record of putting students first.
Richard Barrera Will Prioritize
- Fully funded classrooms in every neighborhood, including higher salaries and great healthcare for educators to address the statewide teacher shortage.
- Increased mental health staffing to support the needs of our students and communities.
- Smaller class sizes so teachers can give every student the attention they deserve.
- Support for experienced educators who return to the classroom year after year.
- Multiple pathways to success, including college, vocational training, apprenticeships, and career technical education.


