25 Facts About Ricardo Lara

Ricardo Lara was born on November 5,1974 and is an American politician who is currently serving as the 8th Insurance Commissioner of California.

Ricardo Lara previously served in the California State Senate from 2012 to 2019 as a Democrat, representing the 33rd Senate district.

Ricardo Lara attended Los Angeles Unified School District schools and graduated from San Diego State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and served as student body president.

In 2013, Lara completed Harvard University's John F Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government as a David Bohnett LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow.

Ricardo Lara later served as Fabian Nunez's district director during Nunez's time as Speaker.

Ricardo Lara then served as communications director for Assemblyman Kevin de Leon.

Ricardo Lara was a candidate for the Assembly in 2008, seeking the Democratic nomination in the Los Angeles-based 46th district.

Ricardo Lara was appointed by Villaraigosa to the powerful Los Angeles Planning Commission, where he served until resigning to focus on his 2010 Assembly run in the 50th district.

Ricardo Lara announced his candidacy for the seat in early 2009 and became a resident of Bell Gardens.

Ricardo Lara faced three primary challengers in his 2010 Assembly bid, two of whom had held elected office in the district.

Ricardo Lara faced a Republican opponent in the general election and won overwhelmingly.

Ricardo Lara was sworn in as an assemblyman on December 6,2010, and was appointed the chairman of the joint legislative audit committee.

Ricardo Lara served on the following committees: appropriations; banking and finance; higher education; and water, parks, and wildlife.

Ricardo Lara authored Assembly Bill 93, which was an emergency action empowering an appointed alternate to swear in the new council.

On October 19,2011, Ricardo Lara announced plans to run for the California Senate in the newly drawn 33rd district in 2012.

Ricardo Lara swiftly lined up a number of endorsements, including from Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, the California Nurses Association and the California Latino Legislative Caucus, the last of which declared the race their number one target seat.

An opinion poll showed Ricardo Lara favored to win the seat, giving him a 6-point lead over Lowenthal.

Ricardo Lara has passed legislation for cleaner air, to expand healthcare, and to protect the civil rights of Californians.

Ricardo Lara was author of the Super Pollutant Reduction Act in 2016, which created the nation's toughest law on black carbon, methane, and fluorocarbons that contribute to global warming.

Ricardo Lara wrote Senate Bill 4, Health for All Kids, which became the basis for 2015 budget action that led to healthcare for nearly 200,000 undocumented immigrant children under California's Medi-Cal program.

Ricardo Lara is joint author with Senator Holly Mitchell of a package of bills to reform criminal justice and juvenile justice laws by requiring minors consult with an attorney on a Miranda warning, ensure children under age 12 are not subject to juvenile court and seal arrest records for those never convicted of a crime.

Ricardo Lara has passed bills to create cleaning product chemical disclosure, prevent California law enforcement from participating in the creation of a registry based on religion, ethnicity or national origin, and protecting the privacy of hotel guests and bus passengers.

On March 21,2017, Ricardo Lara announced he was running for California Insurance Commissioner in 2018.

On November 6,2018, Ricardo Lara narrowly led former Republican Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, who ran as an Independent.

Ricardo Lara increased his lead substantially in the coming days until AP called the race for Ricardo Lara on November 16,2018.