Ricardo Ortega MartinezCandidate

Ricardo Ortega Martinez

State HouseDemocrat

CA-CA AD-34 State House

Mexican-American·Inaugural Los Angeles County Youth Commissioner (representing 2.2 million young people)

Why This Race Matters

Ricardo Ortega Martinez is running against Open seat - Tom Lackey (R, incumbent) is term-limited.

AD-34 will be an open seat in 2026 after Republican incumbent Tom Lackey is term-limited. The sprawling district covers parts of Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties and is majority Republican. Ortega ran in 2024 and lost 38% to 62%, but the open seat changes the dynamic. Republican Thurston "Smitty" Smith is expected to run for the seat.

Ortega raised $153,754 for his 2024 campaign. Endorsed by California Latino Legislative Caucus, Equality California, National Union of Healthcare Workers, and Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Also running for CA Democratic Party Secretary, demonstrating deep party engagement. The district's Republican lean makes this an uphill battle, but Lackey's departure creates a new opportunity.

Key dates to watch: Primary on June 2, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Ricardo Ortega Martinez's journey from foster care and group homes to public service is a testament to resilience. Born in Los Angeles, he experienced homelessness and the foster care system as a youth. At just 17, he helped shape policy by working on AB 2247 -- A Place to Call Home -- which established placement stability for foster youth across California. He became the inaugural Los Angeles County Youth Commissioner, representing over 2.2 million young people, and the youngest commissioner in Assembly District history when appointed to the Immigration Commission. Now a first-generation college graduate living in Quartz Hill, he ran for California Assembly District 34 in 2024 and continues advocating for the youth the system often forgets.

Family & Heritage

Mexican-American. Was in and out of foster care and group homes as a child. Experienced homelessness in his youth. Now a first-generation college graduate with a home in Quartz Hill. His personal experience in the foster system drives his advocacy for system-impacted youth.

Political Career

Before Politics

Statewide Policy and Legislative Manager, California Youth Connection (CYC); Peer Advocate, Children's Law Center of California; Foster care system advocate and organizer; California Youth Connection Executive Commission member; Children's Institute (social-emotional development, crisis intervention)

Education

First-generation college graduate; Statewide Policy and Legislative Manager at California Youth Connection

Awards & Recognition

Inaugural Los Angeles County Youth Commissioner; Youngest Commissioner in Assembly District 64 history; Youngest Commissioner on Huntington Park Civil Service Commission; Young Senator recognition from State Senator Ricardo Lara (33rd Senate District Young Senators Program, December 2017)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Foster care system reform
*Youth representation and civic engagement
*Healthcare access for children
*Infrastructure development and investment
*Mental health services for transitional age youth
*Housing affordability and cost reduction
*AI regulation and consumer data protection
*Education access

Notable Legislation

AB-2247

Worked on foster care system improvements with Assemblyman Mike Gipson

Passed

Endorsements

Run for SomethingPolitical

Suggest an Edit