Mark Ridley-Thomas, was born in November 6, 1954 in Los Angeles, California. A Democrat representing Southwest and South Los Angeles, he earned his BA in Social Relations, MA in Religious Studies from Immaculate Heart College, and Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the University of Southern California. He was elected to the Assembly in 2002, and chaired the Assembly Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on the Los Angeles Healthcare Crisis. He was also the leading voice in efforts to get an NFL team to move to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mark Ridley-Thomas ran a successful campaign and was elected to the Senate in 2006. During his tenure, he was among the lawmakers calling for tourists to boycott the LAX Hilton because of the hotel’s efforts to overturn a city ordinance requiring that airport area hotel workers receive a living wage. He chaired the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee and the Subcommittees on Professional Sports and Entertainment and The Economy, Workforce Preparation and Development. His legislative agenda focused on job development, public safety, education, economic development, healthcare access and community empowerment. He served as chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. Ridley-Thomas is currently Supervisor for the Second District in Los Angeles County.