Community Responds as PUSD District 3 Race Goes Negative

[Updated]  Community members responded Monday to a mailer by a school board candidate that his opponent claims has racial undertones.

Michelle Richardson Bailey claims that Pat Amsbry used an old unflattering photo of her. Bailey said the photo comes across as a mugshot.

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View the flyer behind the controversy by clicking here

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The background of the original photo, which is property of the Pasadena Star-News, was altered in the mailer. Amsbry declined to confirm to Pasadena Now on Monday if he had permission to use or alter the photo. 

He also would not address the facts in the mailer. In the printed piece, sources for the information were provided.

Amsbry claims in the mailer that incumbent Bailey is part of the status quo, out of touch, refuses to address gun safety and is a rubber stamp for Superintendent Brian McDonald’s salary.

According to fellow board members, Bailey voted in favor of gun safety and approved a raise for the superintendent, but that raise was in concert with other PUSD administrators.

Bailey has called on Amsbry to withdraw from the race. Amsbry said he will not withdraw.

“Much has been said in this election season that has cast our schools and our district in an unfavorable light,” said Superintendent Brian McDonald. “This hyperbole only hurts our children and they deserve so much more. Board Vice President Bailey has provided courageous leadership on the board and has been a voice for all students especially those that have traditionally been underserved.”

In a Pasadena Now opinion piece, Attorney Dale Gronemeier said that Amsbry is not the candidate that brought racism into the campaign.  Gronemeier previously supported Bailey but now has thrown his support behind Amsbry.

“Ms. Richardson Bailey has played the race card and falsely smeared Mr. Amsbry with her charge of racism,” he said. “In doing so, she has shown herself to be no better than Jussie Smollet.”

Smollet, an actor, falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist assault in Chicago several years ago according to prosecutors. 

Bailey is the only African-American on the board.