Your donation will help us produce journalism like this. Please give today.

Alex Johnson has made his decision.

Johnson, who is the Assistant Senior Deputy for Education and Public Safety to Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, confirmed to LA School Report that he is running for LA Unified’s District 1 seat in the special election this June.

In a statement he said:

“I’m running because the children of our communities are being left behind by a school system that doesn’t address their needs and doesn’t put children first. The parents, children, and taxpayers of our communities deserve to have a school board representative who is independent – independent from the status quo, from the past, and from the special interests.”

Johnson’s bid for the seat sets up a political proxy battle between Ridley-Thomas and U.S. Representatives Maxine Waters and Karen Bass, who are backing retired LAUSD administrator George McKenna.

Johnson’s entry to the June 3 primary brings to five the number of people who have declared an intent to run. The other candidates are Genethia Hudley-Hayes, Sherlett Hendy Newbill, and Rachel Johnson.

The seat was previously held by Marguerite LaMotte, who died last month.

Previous posts: Two teachers join the field the race for LA Unified Board seat, Ex-board president emerges as candidate for LaMotte seat.