Friday, September 18, 2026

Campaign: Harabedian Endorses McNamara for PUSD Board Seat in District 7

California State Assemblymember John Harabedian has announced his endorsement of Dennis McNamara for the open District 7 seat on the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) School Board, according to the McNamara campaign.

“Dennis cares about Pasadena, our students, and our schools,” Harabedian said. “He takes the time to understand the issues that matter to our community, and I trust him to bring that thoughtful approach to the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education. I’m proud to endorse him.”

District 7 is one of three Pasadena Unified races on the Nov. 3 ballot. It is the only one with no incumbent running, after Dr. Yarma Velázquez did not file for reelection. The winner will join a seven-member board. The seat is decided by plurality, so the candidate with the most votes wins outright, with no runoff.

McNamara responded that he is running to restore PUSD to a place of prominence and pride.

“I’m running to restore PUSD to a place of prominence and pride by focusing on academic achievement, enriched classroom opportunities, and first rate facilities,” he said.

Pasadena City Councilmembers Jason Lyon and Justin Jones and former Councilmember Andy Wilson endorsed McNamara in a campaign statement released Sept. 7. “He has a passion for education and a good head for fiscal management,” Lyon said then.

“I am grateful to leaders like Assemblymember John Harabedian, City Councilmembers Jason Lyon and Justin Jones, former City Councilmember Andy Wilson, and many other prominent community members for putting their trust in me and for their public endorsement of my campaign,” McNamara said. “Our schools are the heart of our community, and I’ll listen, collaborate, and help ensure every PUSD student has the opportunity to thrive.”

McNamara said he will continue to be a steward for the taxpayer as the bond obligations are carried out.

“I will continue to be a steward for the taxpayer as we carry out our obligations to deliver a comprehensive plan to make every dollar count of the $1.4 billion in bonds taxpayers approved through Measures O and R for school modernizations,” he said.

The campaign said McNamara’s strong working relationships with elected officials and community leaders will directly benefit the community as PUSD weathers what it described as a challenging landscape, and that he brings a broad range of professional and community experience to the race.

McNamara is a longtime public education advocate who, with his wife, Lynne, supported their children through public schools from kindergarten through high school, according to the campaign. The campaign said the couple are significant supporters of the Pasadena Educational Foundation and believe strongly in its mission of working to achieve excellence and equity in all PUSD schools, and that it is that belief that propels McNamara to get more involved.

He recognizes the significant challenges facing the district while remaining optimistic about its future, the campaign said.

McNamara faces Cynthia Torres, an education services consultant. Torres has been endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.

More information about the campaign is available at dennisforpusd.com.