Kathryn Barger to be Sworn in Today as Los Angeles County Supervisor Representing Pasadena

Kathryn Barger will be sworn in Monday, succeeding Supervisor Michael Antonovich in representing the Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, which includes Pasadena.

Antonovich termed out after serving in the Board of Supervisors for 36 years. On November 8, Antonovich lost the California State Senate election for the 25th District to Anthony Portantino.

Based in part on her 28 years of experience working for the county and her role as Antonovich’s chief deputy supervisor, Barger drew broad bipartisan support for her candidacy. In addition to backing from her boss, she was endorsed by Kuehl, Solis and former supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Gloria Molina.

Barger fought her way to the November run-off, emerging from a crowded field of seven other candidates in the primary, then easily outpaced businessman Darrell Park on November 8 with nearly 58 percent of the vote.

“It has been a very long road to this point and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this county and district as someone, ‘From our community, For our Community.’ This has been my campaign’s theme for the past two years,” Barger said the day after her election. “I ran for this office as someone who has lived here for practically my entire life; as someone who understands and appreciates the concerns of my friends and neighbors; and as someone with the experience to work with you to solve problems and enhance the quality of life in our community and county.”

During the campaign, Barger pointed at creating jobs as a priority program and said she’d like to improve services for children and families. She also said she believes voters are tired of partisan politics.

“Being from here – being local product from this district – I recognize how special this place is – and that ‘one size does not fit all’ when addressing issues in our district and county,” Barger said. “You have my pledge that in serving you, I will not lose touch with what is vital and in the best interests of those living here, in our Fifth District Community.”

After earning a BA in Communications from Ohio Wesleyan University, Barger began her career working in the private sector. Her interests in public service led her to return home where she went to work for Supervisor Antonovich.

For the past 15 years, she has been Chief Deputy Supervisor where she manages the Supervisor’s Office and serves as the official liaison with community and local business groups. Barger is also an expert on healthcare, mental health and children’s issues because of her work with Supervisor Antonovich.