Sebastian Ridley-Thomas garnered approximately 60 percent of the vote during a special election on Tuesday to replace former Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell, who has been elected to the state senate.

Sebastian Ridley-Thomas

The Assembly District 54 race pitted Ridley-Thomas, who works for Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price, 9th District, against accountant Christopher Armenta (36 percent) and real estate broker John Jake (4 percent). The district includes many communities just south of the Miracle Mile and Olympic Boulevard.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity,” Ridley-Thomas said, adding that he wants to ensure that the voice of the “Fighting 54th” is heard in Sacramento. “There’s a great deal to do.”

He said he hopes to improve the area’s infrastructure, alleviate traffic issues in the district and focus “very closely” on private sector job retention and potential growth utilizing “natural assets.” Further, he would like to work with universities on education issues and other policy matters.

“We know that we have a number of institutions that can help analyze and identify solutions to problems,” Ridley-Thomas said, specifically referencing UCLA and West Los Angeles College. “I hope to be a champion for them both.”

Ridley-Thomas is a public policy director, community organizer and advocate for consumers, children and small businesses, according to his web site. His father, Mark, is a Los Angeles County supervisor.

Ridley-Thomas also worked for Price when Price served in the state Senate. In Sacramento, Ridley-Thomas served as the public policy director, advising on development, transportation, housing, public safety and local government matters.

He also served as the legislative consultant to the Senate Select Committee on Procurement and worked with more than 500 religious institutions as Price’s chief liaison to Los Angeles’ faith-based organizations.

It was Price’s departure from the Senate that resulted in the special election. Mitchell won Price’s old Senate seat, creating the vacancy.

Furthermore, Ridley-Thomas served as a policy researcher, strategic program analyst, coalition builder and advocate for children while serving as an intern at the Children’s Defense Fund. According to his web site, he helped expand the fund’s Freedom Schools summer enrichment program. During this time, Ridley-Thomas completed a dual internship with the National Ministries of the American Baptist Churches.

Additionally, he has worked for the Department of Consumer Affairs Complaint Mediation Division and the California Legislative Black Caucus.