Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Barger Endorses Baum for PCC Board, Will Headline Campaign Reception

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has endorsed Geoff Baum for the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees as he seeks a return to the board in the Nov. 3 election.

Barger will be the featured guest at a campaign reception Sunday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m. at the Pasadena home of Liz and Andy Wilson in the Madison Heights neighborhood, according to Baum’s campaign.

Andy Wilson, a former Pasadena councilmember and vice mayor, is among the community leaders supporting Baum, according to the campaign. The reception will bring together residents and supporters to discuss the college’s future and its role in the region.

“Rebuilding our community will take years, and Pasadena City College has an important responsibility,” Baum said in the campaign announcement. “We need skilled construction workers, electricians, technicians, first responders, and other professionals to help families return home and restore our neighborhoods.”

Baum, who previously served three terms on the PCC board and twice as president of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, said closer cooperation between the college and county government would be important to the region’s recovery from the January 2025 Eaton Fire.

“PCC can prepare local residents for those careers while helping rebuild the community they call home,” he said.

Barger represents the county’s Fifth Supervisorial District. First elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2016, she has focused on issues including public safety, mental health and homelessness.

According to the campaign announcement, her work on Eaton Fire recovery has included creating the Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation and a financing district to support restoration of community infrastructure.

“Whether helping a family navigate county services or leading the recovery from the Eaton Fire, Supervisor Barger never loses sight of the individuals affected by government decisions,” Baum said. “I have enormous respect for her leadership and am honored to have her support.”

PCC has begun expanding construction trades training in response to the fire, including developing a Construction Trades Lab, according to the announcement.

Baum’s campaign priorities include expanding workforce education, improving student access and affordability and ensuring accountability for the college’s voter-approved bond program.

“I look forward to working with her and other county leaders to connect PCC students with good jobs, support families still recovering from the fire, and help our communities come back stronger,” Baum said.