Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Bailey, Kealing for Pasadena Unified Board Races as Election Field Takes Shape

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Incumbent Michelle Richardson Bailey and challenger Felita R. Kealing have qualified for the Nov. 3 Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education election, further solidifying the field for four seats that will be contested this fall.

Bailey, who represents District 3, qualified Monday after filing her nomination papers Aug. 3. She will face Veronica Elias, who qualified July 30 after filing her nomination papers the same day.

“I’m happy to have the opportunity to continue representing the students and families of District 3 as their school board trustee,” said Richardson Bailey. “If reelected, in addition to prioritizing our students, I am committed to cultivating a culture of change on the school board and the district as a whole.”

In District 1, Kealing qualified Aug. 3 after filing her nomination papers July 29. She will challenge incumbent Kimberly Kenne, who qualified July 24 after filing on July 22. Another prospective District 1 candidate, Dianne Lewis, has taken out nomination papers but has not filed or qualified as of Tuesday morning.

The latest filings continue to shape the election for four Pasadena Unified board seats.

In District 5, incumbent Patrice Marshall McKenzie had taken out nomination papers but has not qualified as of Tuesday morning.

District 7 candidate Dennis J. McNamara qualified July 27 after filing his nomination papers the same day.

The nomination period remains open through Friday, Aug. 7. If an incumbent fails to file by the deadline, the nomination period for that office is extended by five days, allowing additional candidates to enter the race.

The Nov. 3 election will determine representation for Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 on the Pasadena Unified Board of Education.

Local school board races are decided by a plurality vote rather than a majority. Under California law, the candidate receiving the most votes in each district is elected, even if that candidate receives less than 50% of the vote.

In races with three or more candidates, votes can be split among the field, allowing a candidate to win without an outright majority.