Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

SHE would’ve become the first Filipino-American elected to the California State Legislature.

FilAm Arlie Ricasa, a Democrat from San Diego, made a run for the California State Assembly 78th District seat during June’s statewide primary.

She finished fourth in the primary election, failing to make the runoff for the seat to be vacated by Assemblywoman Shirley Horton, a Republican. Horton has held the seat since 2002 but cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

It was the second time Ricasa has made a run for the seat. She ran a close second to Maxine Sherard in the 2004 Democratic primary in the district.

“I truly believe our time will come,” said Ricasa, whose campaign for the 78th District seat will be featured in an upcoming film “Absent Voices” by San Diego Tribune reporter Michael Chen.

For Ricasa, the highest-ranking Filipino American elected official in San Diego County, it’s back to square one.

Phone calls and e-mails to Ricasa about her campaign have not been returned as of press time.

Dedicated to the Community

Ricasa is currently serving her 3rd term as a Board of Trustees with the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD), the largest secondary district in the state of California and serves as the Director of Student Development at Southwestern College in the City of Chula Vista.

Born and raised in San Diego, Ricasa is a product of (SUHSD). She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UCLA and a Masters in Science Degree in Counselor Education from San Diego State University. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Since then she has served the San Diego community well.

She serves on a variety of boards such as the MAC project of San Diego County, the Chula Vista Police activities league, and formerly served on South Bay’s YMCA. She served in the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, Filipino American Educators Association of San Diego County, and California School Boards Association.