Tatiana Yokoyama-Bui wins ABC USD race.
RAFU STAFF REPORT
Kelsey Iino was re-elected to Seat 7 on the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees on Nov. 5, with 1,127,901 votes (79.6%) as of Nov. 15.
Her opponent, writer, researcher and instructor Robert Payne, received 289,020 votes (20.4%).
Iino, a graduate of El Camino College, USC and UCLA and a counselor and instructor at ECC, was appointed to the LACCD board in 2022 and was elected to the board later that year, defeating two challengers. Her current term ends on Dec. 13. She is a member of the district’s Facilities and Master Planning Committee and the Basic Needs Ad Hoc Committee, and has served on the Budget Committee, African American/Black Ad Hoc Committee, Gender Equity Ad Hoc Committee, and Athletic Ad Hoc Committee.
She has also served on the boards of Little Tokyo Service Center, El Camino College Foundation, and Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial Committee.
This year, Iino ran on a slate with fellow incumbents David Vela (Seat 3), Nichelle Henderson (Seat 5) and Andra Hoffman (Seat 1), all of whom were re-elected.
In a statement the day after the election, Iino said: “In 2017, after Trump started his first presidency, he nominated Betsy Devos to secretary of education. Already scared about what doom the next four years would bring, in that moment, I decided to figure out how to become a community college trustee to help fight back.
“It took me over five years to build viability, thicker skin, political capital, and the heart to do the work. I was appointed in April of 2022, elected November of 2022, and now re-elected! I do not take this role lightly and I am incredibly honored to serve. It’s my small way to roll up my sleeves, fight for what I believe in, and hopefully be the change I want to see in this world.
“As our country has decided on the Trump Administration to return, I know I will continue to show up, do my best, and fight for public school education and the communities we serve.
“Thank you to all that encourage me, believe in me, see me, love me, and challenge me, through this stage in my life. I’m learning, growing, and I’m showing up to do the scary things!!! LET’S DO THIS!!!”
LACCD is the largest community college district in the U.S. and consists of nine colleges: East L.A. College, L.A. City College, L.A. Harbor College, L.A. Mission College, L.A. Pierce College, L.A. Southwest College, L.A. Trade Tech College, L.A. Valley College, and West L.A. College.
School District Election
In the race for the Trustee Area 4 seat on the ABC Unified School District Governing Board, Tatiana Yokoyama Bui defeated Anu Gupta, 55.89% to 44.11% or 3,669 to 2,896 as of Nov. 15.
In a social media post on Nov. 13, Bui said, “A huge thank you to everyone who has reached out this past week. Election results are not yet final but I am happy to report I am leading in my race. I look forward to a formal announcement once we have a final tally but I would be remiss not to thank my campaign volunteers any chance I get for supporting me even on the final day.”
A graduate of ABC USD schools, UC Riverside and Western State College of Law, Bui is the mother and aunt of ABC students and a PTA volunteer and officer. She works as a trial attorney and was previously a law clerk for Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles and a member of the Cerritos Planning Commission.
Her goals include providing “the best education to our students, along with the extracurriculars, classes, sports and programs desired by our students and parents” as well as “safe and healthy learning environments that attract students and families.”
Her endorsers included current school board members Dr. Olga Rios (Area 6) and H. Ernie Nishii (Area 3), former school board president Celia Spitzer, Cerritos City Councilmember Frank Aurelio Yokoyama (her brother), and former Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido. SoCal Filipinos congratulated Bui and other Filipino American candidates who won in Southern California elections, including Jessica Caloza, 52nd Assembly District; Ysabel Jurado, Los Angeles City Council; Todd Gloria, San Diego mayor; Corey Calaycay, Claremont City Council; and Ryyn Schumacher, Ventura City Council.
Gupta, an engineer, is also a parent of ABC students. His goals included safety, academic excellence, balancing the budget, and “ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
His endorsers included the current Area 4 representative, Brad Beach, who did not seek re-election, and former school board member Dixie Primosch.
ABC USD encompasses Artesia, Cerritos and Hawaiian Gardens, and portions of Lakewood, Long Beach and Norwalk. It is composed of 19 elementary schools, five middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, a college prep 7-12 school, a continuation high school, infant/children centers, extended day care, an online school, and an adult school.