Ricardo Valencia is an educator, Santa Maria-Bonita School District Board Member, and longtime community advocate who has spent his career expanding opportunity for working families. A son of immigrants, Ricardo grew up in Guadalupe and Santa Maria, where his parents worked long hours to keep the family afloat. Even through financial hardship, Ricardo’s childhood was shaped by a close-knit community that looked after one another and taught him the importance of resilience, responsibility, and compassion.

The first in his family to graduate from college, Ricardo earned his degree from UC Berkeley and went on to complete his Master of Arts in Teaching at Tufts University through a full scholarship. He then returned home to teach at his alma mater, Santa Maria High School, where he has spent more than 15 years helping students build confidence, strengthen academic skills, and plan for their futures. In 2020, he ran for the Santa Maria-Bonita School Board and was re-elected in 2024 with more than 70 percent of the vote. On the school board, he has helped strengthen district leadership, expand teacher hiring pipelines, and support initiatives that reflect the needs of local families. He is an award-winning elected official who was recognized as North County Leader of the Year in 2025.

Now, Ricardo is running for County Supervisor to bring people together and take action on the issues that matter most, including delivering a living wage, expanding affordable housing, and protecting residents, neighborhoods, local businesses, and the environment. He is committed to working tirelessly to deliver results and build a stronger, fairer Santa Barbara County where every family has the chance to thrive.