Gabriel Buelna, the incumbent trustee for Seat 6 on the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees, is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race also includes candidates Randall Winston, Roberto David Lacarra and Tonia Arey, according to BallotReady election data.

Asked why he is running, Buelna said in our candidate questionnaire: "Community college changed the direction of my life. I struggled academically in high school, and taking classes through West Los Angeles College gave me a second chance and helped me find a path to higher education." He added: "I am seeking reelection because I believe community colleges are among the most important institutions we have for expanding opportunity."

Candidate information

Name: Gabriel Buelna

Party affiliation: Buelna said in our questionnaire: "Democratic Party."

Education: Buelna said in our questionnaire: "I earned my bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge, graduating in three years. I later earned a Master of Social Work from San Diego State University and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Claremont Graduate University."

Family: Buelna said in our questionnaire: "I grew up in South Los Angeles as the son of Mexican immigrants. My parents came to Los Angeles in the 1960s and built a life here while navigating a new country and a new language. They later studied English at West Los Angeles College before becoming U.S. citizens." He added: "My wife, Pilar, and I met as students at CSUN and married in 1993. We have three daughters, Paulina, Gema and Gabriela."

Experience and public service

Current offices and roles: Buelna said in our questionnaire: "I am an attorney, educator and member of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees. I own the Buelna Law Firm and have taught history and politics in the Chicana/o Studies Department at California State University, Northridge since 1999."

Previous elected and appointed office: Buelna said in our questionnaire: "I was first elected in 2017 and reelected in 2022. I served as President of the Board in 2022 as well. Before joining LACCD, I served as an appointed member of the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission."

Career background: Buelna said in our questionnaire: "I began my career as a children's social worker with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, working with abused and neglected children and their families. I later moved into nonprofit leadership, serving as Executive Director of Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission and then Plaza Community Services. At Plaza, I oversaw more than 100 employees and an organization serving children and families throughout East and South Los Angeles."

LAist reported in 2022 that Buelna was a leader in the Chicano student movement in Southern California in the 1990s.

On the issues

Accomplishments in office: Buelna said in our questionnaire: "I helped lead LACCD's effort to expand in-language education, work that ultimately contributed to AB 1096 and the removal of a state barrier to credit-bearing community college courses taught in languages other than English." He said the pilot "grew from 15 in-language classes serving 313 students to 59 classes serving nearly 1,500 students in a matter of months." Buelna also said: "I also helped advance Measure LA and its commitment of up to $500 million for affordable student and staff housing, and as Board President established the Student Basic Needs Task Force to pursue lasting solutions for students struggling with food and housing insecurity."

What sets him apart: Buelna said in our questionnaire: "I bring both perspectives to the Board: an understanding of the people our colleges serve and the experience necessary to govern a large public institution and turn ideas into results."

Student enrollment: Buelna told LAist during the 2022 election that he believes increasing programs such as ethnic studies classes that reflect the life experiences of LACCD's people of color will help bring students back to campuses.

Residents can follow board actions through the district's public meeting agendas and minutes.