Mark Ridley-Thomas is one of America’s famous politicians who is known for his outspoken politics. He is a politician as well as a professor and writer.
Mark Ridley-Thomas is the first black Los Angeles politician to serve in a variety of positions during his career including the Los Angeles City Council (1991–2002 and 2020–2022), the California State Assembly (2002–2006), the California State Senate (2006–2008), and the Los Angeles County Board (2008–2020).
In addition to his political career, Mark Ridley-Thomas has also served as a professor at the University of Southern California and California State University. His books are “The Empowerment Congress: Neighborhood Organizing for Power” and “The Politics of Black Empowerment: The Political Movement in Los Angeles”.
On March 30, 2023, the Central District of California found Mark Ridley-Thomas guilty of bribery and fraud for soliciting benefits for his son from the dean of the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work.
Mark Ridley-Thomas was sentenced to 42 months in prison on August 28, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy, bribery, honest services mail fraud, and honest services wire fraud.
Mark Ridley-Thomas has always spoken strongly on issues like public health, education, housing, transport, economic development, etc. for the poor and deprived people of the society during his political career.
Ridley-Thomas is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He is also the recipient of the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal, the organization’s highest honor.
Physical Stats
| Full name: | Mark Ridley-Thomas |
| Profession: | American Politician |
| Born: | Manual Arts High School, Los Angeles, Graduate- Immaculate Heart College, Ph.D.- University of Southern California |
| Best Known For: | Los Angeles City Council (1991–2002 and 2020–2022), the California State Assembly (2002–2006), the California State Senate (2006–2008), and the Los Angeles County Board (2008–2020) |
| Education: | 5 Feet 6 inches (1.7m) |
| Political Party: | Democratic |
| Age: | 68 Years |
| Height: | 5 Feet 6 inch (1.7m) |
| Weight: | 82 Kg |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Spouse: | Avis Ridley-Thomas (m.1979) |
| Children: | 2-Son, (Sebastian Ridley-Thomas and Sinclair Ridley-Thomas) |
| Siblings: | Michael Thomas (Death-1981) |
| Salary: | $229,000 ( Los Angeles City Council 2022) |
| Net Worth: | $1 million to $5 million |
| Nationality: | American |
Early Life
Mark Ridley-Thomas was born in Los Angeles, California on 6 November 1954 to a truck driver family. His mother was a housewife. Thomas was raised in Los Angeles only.
Mark Ridley-Thomas did his high school at Manual Arts High School, Los Angeles, and graduated from Immaculate Heart College with a major in Social Relations.
He then received a master’s degree in religious studies and then received a degree Ph.D. in social ethics and policy analysis from the University of Southern California.
Career
Executive Director (1981-1991)
Mark Ridley-Thomas began his career in 1981 as an executive director at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles. She served in this position for 10 consecutive years, during which she worked on a variety of civil rights issues, including housing, education, and employment.
Los Angeles City Council (1991–2002)
Mark Ridley-Thomas was first elected to the Los Angeles City Council (representing the 8th District) in 1991. He served on the Los Angeles City Council from 1991 to 2002 and again from 2020 to 2022.
Ridley-Thomas was elected for a second time in the Los Angeles City Council election of November 3, 2020, but served on the council for two years due to her conviction of bribery and fraud in March 2023. He was then expelled from the council and replaced by Herb Wesson, who was appointed in 2022 by City Council President Nuri Martinez. Ridley-Thomas is currently serving a 42-month prison sentence.
During his twelve-year tenure on the council, he worked on a variety of issues such as African-American voter registration (AAVREP), education, housing, public transportation, and economic development.
The current head of the Los Angeles City Council is Paul Krekorian.
California State Legislature (2002–2006)
Mark Ridley-Thomas was elected to the California State Assembly (representing the 48th District) in 2002 under the leadership of the Democratic Party. In this election, he defeated his Republican opponent, Gerard T. Robinson, with over 80% of the vote.
During his four years in the Assembly, he served as chairman of the Democratic Caucus and encouraged the NFL team to move to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. During this time he was also the chairman of the Jobs, Economic Development, and Economy Committee.
California State Senate (2006–2008)
In the 2006 California State Senate election for the 26th Senate District seat, Mark Ridley-Thomas defeated his opponent Marvin C. McCoy with over 87% of the vote. This election was due to the seat being vacated by Senator Kevin Murray.
During his two-year term in the State Senate, he served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Business, Professions, Economic Development, Professional Sports and Recreation, and the Economy.
Los Angeles County Supervisor (2008–2020)
In 2008, Ridley-Thomas was the first black leader elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He was a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from 2008 to 2020.
In this election, he won 62% to 38% over his opponent, former LAPD Police Chief Bernard C. Parks, who was a member of the Los Angeles City Council. This election was held to fill the seat vacated by Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.
On the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, he represented the Second Supervisory District, which includes parts of South Los Angeles, Mid-City, and West Los Angeles.
He was also a member of the Board of Supervisors, as well as the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).
Mark Ridley-Thomas was a progressive politician who spoke openly on issues such as social justice, economic equality, public education, and affordable housing. He was also a vocal critic of police brutality and racial discrimination.
The current chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is Janice Hahn.
Personal Life
Mark Ridley-Thomas was married to Avis Ridley-Thomas, co-founder and director of the Institute for Non-Violence in Los Angeles. Avis is also a former teacher and community organizer. They have two sons, Sebastian Ridley-Thomas and Sinclair Ridley-Thomas.
Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is a member of the California State Assembly representing the 54th District, and Sinclair Ridley-Thomas is an attorney.
He lives in Leimert Park, California with his wife and two sons.
Mark Ridley-Thomas Brother’s
Mark Ridley-Thomas is the brother of Michael Thomas, who was murdered in his South Los Angeles home in 1981. He was an insurance adjuster. Michael Thomas was 37 years old at the time of his death.
Michael Anthony Locklin was arrested for the murder of Michael Thomas in August 2017.
Locklin is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on August 21 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
If convicted, Locklin faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Net Worth
Mark Ridley-Thomas is an accomplished American politician whose net worth is estimated to be between $1 million to $5 million. He has amassed wealth through his long career in politics as well as through his work as a professor and author.
Mark Ridley-Thomas salary
Mark Ridley-Thomas was a member of the Los Angeles City Council from 2020 to 2022. During that time, his salary was $229,000. But he was suspended from the City Council in October 2021 after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges. Was stopped.
National Leadership Position (2017)
Mark Ridley-Thomas was appointed in 2017 to the Nominating Committee of the National Association of Counties (NACo), which unites officials from the United States 3,069 county governments to advocate with a collective voice on national policy.
However, due to the conviction of Mark Ridley-Thomas in fraud and bribery cases, he is no longer holding this post. Currently chairman of the nominating committee of the National Association of Counties, Craig J. Lehman who is the County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Ridley-Thomas is a controversial figure. His supporters praise him for his commitment to social justice and his achievements in office. His critics argue that he is corrupt and that his sentence is proof of his wrongdoing.
Despite the controversy, Ridley-Thomas remains an important figure in Los Angeles politics. He has been a major force in shaping the city’s policies for more than three decades. His legacy will continue to be debated for years to come.
Latest Update
The Central District of California sentenced Mark Ridley-Thomas to 42 months in prison on August 28, 2023, and a $30,000 fine after being found guilty of conspiracy, bribery, honest services mail fraud, and honest services wire fraud. Have done. The court has also ordered him to surrender before the Jail Bureau by October 13, 2023.
On March 30, 2023, the Central District of California found Mark Ridley-Thomas guilty of bribery and fraud for soliciting benefits for his son from the dean of the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work.
Mark Ridley-Thomas is currently appealing his conviction. His lawyers have argued that the evidence against him was insufficient and that he was a victim of political corruption. He is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Lompoc, California. His release will be on February 1, 2026.
Ridley-Thomas is an icon of Los Angeles. But the conviction imposed on him has tarnished his political career and the reputation he has built.
