Assemblymember Tina McKinnor Endorses Former Pasadena Police Lieutenant for California State Assembly District 41

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor has endorsed former Pasadena Police Lt. Phlunté Riddle for California State Assembly District 41 candidate Phlunté Riddle.

“Phlunté Riddle has spent her career breaking barriers and serving others. I support Phlunté because she will fight for working families and ensure every Californian has equal access to quality education and job training opportunities. She’ll advance policies that deliver cleaner air and water and environmental protections for the Foothill and High Desert communities,” said Assemblymember McKinnor.

Riddle broke gender and racial barriers in Pasadena Police Department, becoming the first African-American female sergeant and the first female lieutenant in the motor pool. She was also the first female helicopter observer at major Rose Bowl events.

Under the direction of former Chief Bernard Melekian and Cmdr. Rick Law, Riddle helped start the City’s police athletic league.

Her father-in-law, Ralph Riddle, became the first black police officer in Pasadena in 1946. He retired in 1974 also after 28 years with the force.

Riddle left the department in 2012. That same year she was invited by several departments to apply for police chief positions.

In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed her as a Board of Juvenile Discharge Hearings Commissioner with California’s Division of Juvenile Justice, which the California Senate confirmed with a 39-0 vote. She owns a consulting company, where she trains executives helping them to solve generational communications challenges within organizations.

Riddle is facing former Claremont mayor and current city councilmember Jed Leano and Pasadena City Councilmember Felicia Williams for the seat.

Riddle served the Foothill communities as Assemblymember Chris Holden’s District Director and helped him expand the College and Career Access Pathways program that allows high school students to take college and vocational training courses.

Due to term limits Holden cannot seek the seat for another term.

Together, she and Assemblymember Holden pursued solutions that work for expanding the Gold Line, mental health services, public safety, and cleaner energy.

“I am honored to receive Assemblymember Tina McKinnor’s endorsement. She is championing equitable solutions to address our state’s challenges. I look forward to working with her to expand access to mental health treatment, job training opportunities, and early childhood education,” Riddle said.

McKinnor represents the 61st Assembly District and is chair of the Public Employment and Retirement committee. She also serves as the Secretary of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.