District 6 School Board Candidate Tina Wu Fredericks Announces Her Endorsement by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond

Pasadena Unified School District Board Member Tina Wu Fredericks has announced that she has received the endorsement of California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond for her run for re-election to the school board.

According to a statement from Fredericks’ campaign, Thurmond cited her commitment to public education and her record of legislative efforts as endorsements.

“As a former school board member, I know how important it is to stand up for our students, which is why I am proud to endorse Tina Wu Fredericks for re-election to the Pasadena Unified School Board,” Thurmond was quoted as saying in a statement.

“Trustee Fredericks is an unwavering champion of public education. She has a strong track record of legislative advocacy for funding and reform at the state and federal levels, ensuring that all students have the resources they need to thrive.”

Fredericks, who represents District 6, which includes Pasadena, Sierra Madre and some unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, is seeking another term on the board. She currently serves as the district’s board clerk, chair of the Facilities and Capital Projects Committee and is a member of the 5-Star Education Coalition.

The campaign announcement emphasized Fredericks’ background as a former public elementary and middle school teacher and her experience as a teaching assistant and summer school teacher for the Pasadena Unified School District.

Fredericks earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of California, San Diego and currently works as a computer engineer at Green Dot Corporation.

Thurmond’s endorsement joins a list of supporters for Fredericks’ re-election bid that includes Congresswoman Judy Chu, Senator Anthony Portantino, Assemblymember Chris Holden and numerous local leaders, her campaign said. The statement noted that Fredericks is the only candidate in the race endorsed by the United Teachers of Pasadena.

Before taking his current position, Thurmond served in the California State Assembly, the West Contra Costa School Board and the Richmond City Council.

Fredericks previously served as chair of the Legislative Advocacy Committee and as a member of the Finance Task Force and Student Safety & School Climate Committee. She also served two terms from 2022 to 2023 as chair of the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association.

Fredericks and her husband Alec have two daughters who attended schools in the Pasadena Unified School District.