Miller, Bailey, McKenzie, Stammer Qualify for School Board Races

Pasadena Unified Board of Education races continue to take shape as more candidates qualify for the pending election.

As of Wednesday morning, five candidates have qualified for four seats.

In District 1, Rita Miller has qualified for the election. So far, incumbent Kim Kenne has not turned in the necessary paperwork. Altadena Town Councilman Billy Malone has also pulled papers.

In District 3, Michelle Richardson Bailey has qualified for the election. As of now, Richardson Bailey is running unopposed in the November election.

Although she pulled papers, Bree Jensen has notified the City Clerk she does not intend to collect signatures. 

“I am looking forward to being re-elected to continue my work on changing the educational narrative for our children through my service and advocacy in support of the students, their families, staff, and faculty, for equity, inclusion, and a culturally sound PUSD,” Richardson Bailey told Pasadena Now.

So far, District 5 is the only competitive race. In that district, Patrice Marshall McKenzie and Xilian Stammer have qualified for the election.

“As a PUSD Alumna and longtime Pasadena resident, I have focused my volunteer and community involvement around the three pillars that I believe build strong communities: stability, service, and safety,” McKenzie told Pasadena Now. “Schools should uphold those same three pillars in our communities. Much of my career has been in my being a convener of people and working in collaboration across agencies, government, organizations and community stakeholders to accomplish goals and advance common agendas. I want to bring that same sense of collaboration, partnership and leadership to the Board of Education so we can accelerate our shared goals of providing the highest quality education to all students in Pasadena.”

Yarma Velázquez remains the only candidate to qualify for the race in District 7.

The nominating period will close on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 5 p.m.

A nomination petition must be issued and filed before the deadline. The petition must be signed by 25 qualified voters in the district where the candidate is running. Candidates must also pay a $25 fee when the nomination papers are filed. 

If no incumbents runs, the period to nominate any qualified person other than the incumbent is extended to Wednesday, August 17.

The elections will be decided by a plurality vote. The candidates with the most votes will win the seat. There are no run-off contests. More than 50% of the vote is not required to win the election.