San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos Launches Bid For State Assembly

“I was born and raised in this community. As a tribal leader, a business owner, a community leader and as a County Supervisor, I have worked to make it a better place – targeting corruption and bringing transparency to the County Board while balancing the budget and creating a reserve. My focus will continue to be on the issues that matter to the Inland Empire – economic development, tackling homelessness, improving education and working with public safety to keep our communities safe,” said Ramos. “I have always worked in a bipartisan manner and that will not change in the State Assembly.”

James was born and raised on the San Manuel Indian Reservation. He grew up in a mobile home with his family. He learned a strong work ethic and followed a path to college, earning his associate’s degree at Victor Valley Community College, and his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting from California State University, San Bernardino, before attending the University of Redlands where he earned a master’s degree in Business Administration.

Ramos, a Democrat, has served as a Supervisor of San Bernardino County since 2012. In 2015, he was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve as Board Chairman. Ramos was the first Native American to be elected to the Board of Supervisors, as well as to the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees, on which he served from 2005-12.

Ramos has worked for both Republican and Democratic Governors.  In 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Ramos to the California State Native American Heritage Commission for which he is chairman. In 2011, he became the first Native American appointed to the State Board of Education by Governor Jerry Brown.

In addition to his elected service, Ramos is a proven civic leader and has served on numerous boards and organizations in the greater San Bernardino area.

Ramos is also the immediate past Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, with a deep commitment to the preservation of California Indian culture. He is co-founder of the San Manuel Band’s Cultural Awareness Program, and serves as director of the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference held annually at California State University, San Bernardino.

James and his wife of 28 years, Terri, are the proud parents of four children and three grandchildren.

Ramos also released list of key endorsements:

Elected Leaders

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson

U.S. Congressman Pete Aguilar

U.S. Congresswoman Norma Torres

State Senator Connie Leyva

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos

San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Oscar Valdez

City of Redlands

Mayor Pro Tem Paul Barich

Council Member Jon Harrison

Council Member Eddie Tejeda

Council Member Toni Momberger

City of Highland 

Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Chavez

Council Member Anaeli Solano

City of Loma Linda 

Council Member Ovidiu Popescu

Council Member Ron Dailey

City of Fontana 

Council Member Michael Tahan

San Bernardino Community College Board

Joseph Williams, President

Gloria Macías Harrison, Vice President

John Longville, Trustee

Dr. Donald L. Singer, Trustee

Redlands Unified School District Board of Trustees

Patty Holohan

San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Trustees 

Mrs. Gwendolyn Rodgers, Vice President

Dr. Barbara Flores

East Valley Water District Board of Directors 

Chris Carrillo, Chairman

Organizations

City of San Bernardino Police Officers Association

City of Redlands Police Officers Association

City of Redlands Professional Firefighters Local 1354

California Nations Indian Gaming Association

Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association

Community Leaders

David Myers, Executive Director of The Wildlands Conservancy*

Teamsters Joint Council 42 President Randy Cammack*

San Bernardino County Firefighters Local 935 President Jim Grigoli*

San Bernardino City Schools Chief of Police Joe Paulino*

San Bernardino Police Captain Rich Lawhead*

Fire Chief Rancho Cucamonga Mike Costello (Ret.)*

Police Chief City of Redlands Mark Garcia (Ret.)*

Police Chief City of Redlands Jim Bueermann (Ret.)*

*Titles are for Identification Purposes Only and Do Not Indicate an Organizational Endorsement