Thursday, July 30, 2026

Kenne Qualifies for PUSD Re-Election Race as School Board Field Takes Shape

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Kimberly Kenne Photo courtesy PUSD

Incumbent Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board member Kimberly Kenne has officially qualified for the Nov. 3 general election, becoming the first incumbent in this year’s school board races to secure a place on the ballot.

Kenne, who represents District 1, filed her nomination papers July 22 and qualified for the ballot July 24, according to nomination records released by the City Clerk’s office.

She is expected to face challengers Felita R. Kealing, who was issued nomination papers July 13, and Dianne Lewis, who pulled papers July 22.

As of the latest filing report, neither Kealing nor Lewis had qualified for the ballot.

In District 7, Dennis J. McNamara has also qualified for the election after filing and qualifying July 27. McNamara is seeking the seat being vacated by Yarma Velazquez, who announced she will not seek reelection.

The remaining races are still taking shape.

In District 3, incumbent Michele Richardson Bailey and challenger Veronica Elias have both been issued nomination papers, but neither had qualified as of the latest report. In District 5, incumbent Patrice Marshall McKenzie has been issued nomination papers and has not yet qualified.

Candidates who are issued nomination papers are not officially placed on the ballot until they complete the filing process and are certified by the City Clerk.

Voters will elect representatives in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 in the Nov. 3 election. PUSD holds plurality elections, meaning the candidate receiving the most votes wins, even if that total is less than a 50% majority.

The nomination period remains open through Aug. 7. If an incumbent fails to file by the deadline, the nomination period for that office will be extended.