Mark Ridley-Thomas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Ridley-Thomas
Ridley-Thomas in 2013
Member of the Los Angeles City Council
In office December 14, 2020 – March 17, 2022 (in suspension Oct. 20, 2021 – Mar. 17, 2022)
Preceded by	Herb Wesson
Succeeded by	Herb Wesson
Constituency	10th district
In office July 1, 1991 – December 1, 2002
Preceded by	Robert C. Farrell
Succeeded by	Bernard Parks
Constituency	8th district
President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council
In office July 1, 2001 – December 1, 2002
Preceded by	Ruth Galanter
Succeeded by	Cindy Miscikowski
Member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from the 2nd District
In office December 1, 2008 – December 6, 2020
Preceded by	Yvonne Brathwaite Burke
Succeeded by	Holly Mitchell
Chair of Los Angeles County
In office December 6, 2016 – December 5, 2017
Preceded by	Hilda Solis
Succeeded by	Sheila Kuehl
In office December 4, 2012 – December 3, 2013
Preceded by	Michael D. Antonovich (Mayor)
Succeeded by	Don Knabe
Chair Pro Tem of Los Angeles County
In office December 8, 2015 – December 6, 2016
Preceded by	Hilda Solis
Succeeded by	Sheila Kuehl
In office December 6, 2011 – December 4, 2012
Preceded by	Zev Yaroslavsky
Succeeded by	Don Knabe
Member of the California State Senate from the 26th district
In office December 4, 2006 – November 30, 2008
Preceded by	Kevin Murray
Succeeded by	Curren D. Price Jr.
Member of the California State Assembly from the 48th district
In office December 2, 2002 – November 30, 2006
Preceded by	Roderick Wright
Succeeded by	Mike Davis
Personal details
Born	Mark Thomas (1954-11-06) November 6, 1954 (age 70) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Avis Ridley-Thomas
Children	Sebastian and Sinclair Ridley-Thomas
Residences	Los Angeles County, California
Alma mater	Immaculate Heart College University of Southern California

Mark Ridley-Thomas (born November 6, 1954) is an American former politician. He served in various important roles in California. He was a member of the Los Angeles City Council for two different districts. He also served on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Before that, he was a California State Senator and a California State Assemblyman. His long career in public service ended due to legal issues.

Education and Early Life

Mark Ridley-Thomas grew up in Los Angeles. He went to Manual Arts High School. He earned two degrees from Immaculate Heart College. Later, he received a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California in 1989.

Before becoming a politician, Ridley-Thomas was a high school teacher. He also led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles for ten years. This group works for civil rights and equality. During this time, he also hosted a public affairs radio show.

A Career in Public Service

Mark Ridley-Thomas spent many years working for the people of California. He held several important elected positions.

Serving Los Angeles City

Ridley-Thomas with San Francisco Mayor Feinstein, Supervisor Burke, and Los Angeles Mayor Riordan in 1984

Ridley-Thomas first joined the Los Angeles City Council in 1991. He represented the 8th Council District for three terms. During this time, he created the Eighth District Empowerment Congress. This group helped local communities have a stronger voice. He also helped start a large effort to register voters in California. He was also the president pro tem of the council, which is a leadership role.

He returned to the Los Angeles City Council in 2020. This time, he represented the 10th Council District. However, his term ended in 2022 due to legal challenges.

Helping California as a State Official

In 2002, Ridley-Thomas was elected to the California State Assembly. He represented the 48th district. He worked to bring an NFL team to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He also helped pass a law to improve Exposition Park. As chairman of a special committee, he worked to fix problems in Los Angeles's healthcare system. He supported a bill to prevent fraud in government agencies.

In 2006, he became a California State Senator. He represented the 26th Senate district. In the Senate, he worked on laws to reduce gang violence. He also supported efforts to help hotel workers earn a fair wage. He led committees focused on business, sports, and economic development.

Leading Los Angeles County

Ridley-Thomas with three of his Supervisor colleagues and Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2015

Mark Ridley Thomas Bridge, which is part of the Park to Playa Trail, Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles County, California

In 2008, Mark Ridley-Thomas was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He represented the 2nd Supervisorial District. He was the first black man ever elected to this board. He won re-election twice, serving until 2020.

What is a County Supervisor?

A County Supervisor is like a mayor for a large area of a county. They make important decisions about public services. These services include health, transportation, and public safety. They manage a large budget and oversee many county departments.

Important Legal Outcome

In 2021, Mark Ridley-Thomas faced legal challenges. These challenges were related to his time on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. In March 2023, he was found responsible for some of the charges. These charges involved getting special benefits for his son from the USC. This happened while he voted on matters that helped the university. In August 2023, he received a prison sentence.