Biography

José Huizar was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in November 2005 by the voters of Council District 14, serving the communities of Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Eagle Rock, Hermon, and portions of Highland Park, Glassel Park, Mt. Washington, and Downtown Los Angeles.

As President of the Board of Education of the Los Angeles Unified School District (2003-2005) and as a Board Member (2001-2005), José earned a reputation as an aggressive policymaker who tackled difficult issues to get results for students and families. During his tenure, he oversaw plans to build over 160 new schools within eight years, constituting the largest school construction program in the nation’s history.

In his final year as LAUSD Board President, José led the successful effort to reform the high school curriculum to ensure that all students, regardless of their backgrounds, will complete the A-G courses required for admission to one of California’s public universities.

José previously served as a Deputy City Attorney in the Real Estate and Environmental Division of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. He has also served as an associate with several private law firms.

Now, José brings his energy, experience and commitment to serving his 14th District constituents and all of the residents of Los Angeles. His priorities include enhancing public safety, strengthening education and youth programs, building more affordable housing and public transportation, and revitalizing major corridors in the 14th Council District. He is especially interested in the Historic Broadway District downtown.

In 2004, José was selected to serve as a Trustee of Princeton University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including profiles by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the 25 figures in the Los Angeles Area that “stand out for their potential to shape lives” and by Hispanic Business magazine as one of the “100 most influential Hispanics” in the United States.

José earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He received a Master’s degree in Public Affairs and Urban Planning from Princeton University and a Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law.

José was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, and raised in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. He currently resides in Boyle Heights with his wife Richelle Rios and their two young daughters, Emilia and Isabella.