Who’s Funding Pasadena Unified Board Candidates

Who’s Funding Pasadena Unified Board Candidates (Photo – Graphics Dept.)

In the November 8 General Election, residents in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will vote for candidates in Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7.

By Sophia Pu

Each candidate’s campaign finance disclosures can be found on the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s website:

District 1

PUSD District 1 includes Focus Point Academy, Eliot Arts Magnet, Altadena Arts Magnet and Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet. Incumbent Kimberly Kenne and Billy Malone are running for the seat.

Billy Malone has been a member of the Altadena Town Council since 2013. As of September 24, Malone has raised $3,934. He has made no loans to the campaign and has spent $1,215.90.

– His top two donors are:

• Santa Anita Park (race track), Arcadia, CA: $500.
• Elizabeth Pomeroy (retired), Pasadena, CA: $200.
• All other donors are $100 or less.

Kimberly Kenne. Retired. She has held the seat since 2011. Kenne loaned herself $100,000 (the maximum amount for loans). Kenne reports no donations to her campaign. She has spent $6,888.31 on mailings, ads, voter information, contact software, and her Candidate Statement fee.

– Top source of funds are:

• Loan: $100,000

District 3

PUSD District 3 includes John Muir High School Early College Magnet, Octavia E. Butler Magnet and Washington Elementary STEM Magnet. Incumbent Michelle Bailey Richardson and Pat Amsbry are running in this District.

Michelle Bailey Richardson  is a former employee of PUSD and has held the seat since 2017. She currently is an Advisor of Academics at Pacific Oaks College. She has received $15,468 in total contributions, and loaned $3,000 to the campaign. As of September 24, 2022, she has spent $5,000.

– Her top three contributors are:

• California Teamsters Public Affairs Council (small contributor committee), Sacramento, CA; $5,000.
• Public Works Group- DBA Learning Works, Pasadena, CA: Amount not reported, but over $1,000.
• National Women’s Political Caucus-Greater Pasadena Area (committee), Pasadena, CA: $1,500.

Patrick Amsbry is the owner and president of Flying A Media. As of September 24, he has received $34,538 in campaign contributions and $6,100 in loans. The campaign has spent $6,087.

– His top three sources of funds are:

• Loan from Kate Amsbry, Pasadena, CA: $5,000.
• Flying A Media (advertising), Pasadena, CA: $4,900.
• Louis Lae (retired), Orange, CA: $2,000.

District 5

PUSD District 5 includes Rose City High School, Marshall Fundamental, and Hamilton and McKinley Elementary Schools. Patrice Marshall McKenzie and Xilian Stammer are competing for the seat.

Patrice Marshall McKenzie is a legislative and public affairs professional. As of October 10, Patrice McKenzie has raised a total of $26,289. She has not loaned any money to the campaign and has spent a total of $11,410.58 as of September 24, 2022.

– Her three highest donations are:

• National Women’s Political Caucus-Greater Pasadena Area (committee), Pasadena, CA: $1,500.
• Tanya Acker (TV Host), Los Angeles, CA: $1,000.
• George McKenna III (Los Angeles Unified School District School Board Member), Los Angeles, CA: $1,000.
• Edward Moore Sanders (public affairs, ES Advisors group), Los Angeles, CA: $1,000.

Xilian Stammer is a former teacher and employee of PUSD. Xilian Stammer has received $9,136.45 in donations. She loaned $120 to the campaign and has spent $5,414.98 on a campaign consultant, ads, fundraising, postage, and voter registration.

– Her top three donors are:

• Andrew R Wilson (nonprofit executive, Alliance for SoCal Innovation), Pasadena, CA: $1,000.
• Kathleen M O’Connor (self-employed at the Law Office of Kathleen M O’Connor), Pasadena, CA: $1,000.
• Perceiver Education Inc. (business entity), West Covina: $800.

District 7

PUSD District 7 includes Blair High School and San Rafael Elementary, and covers the neighborhoods of Linda Vista, San Rafael, Arroyo Secco and Madison Heights. Juan Pablo Alban and Yarma Velasquez are running in this District.

Juan Pablo Albàn is the co-founder of Stuart Alban Law. As of September 24, Juan Pablo Albàn has raised $24,945 for his campaign. He has loaned the campaign $6,000 and spent a total of $11,640.58.

– His top three contributions were:

• Loan from Courtney and Juan Alban (attorneys/self), Pasadena, CA: $6,000.
• Lisa Stuart (not employed), Greenwich, CT: $5,000.
• Lettice Stuart (retired), Pasadena, CA: $2,500.
• Walter Stuart (attorney), Houston, TX: $2,500.

Yarma Velasquez, is an author and professor. As of September 24, 2022, Yarma Velazquez has reported $26,412.30 in campaign contributions. She has not loaned any money to the campaign and has spent a total of $15,833.76.

– Her top three donors are:

• National Women’s Political Caucus’ of the Greater Pasadena Area (committee), Altadena, CA: $1,500.
• Nahir Boscio Vargas (real estate agent), San Juan, Puerto Rico: $500.
• Jonathan Parfrey (non-profit administrator); $500.

Rita Miller withdrew from the race.

> Read – Pasadena Unified Board Candidates: Questions and Answers.

[This article has been updated to include correct school names. Oct. 31, 7:52 pm.]