Veres, Harris, and Winston Win L.A. Community College Board Seats
New trustees secure victory in Los Angeles Community College District board election results.
1Election Results Confirmed
Randall Winston, Steve Veres, and Darryn Harris have secured victories in the recent Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees election. These seats oversee the nation's largest community college system, which serves approximately 200,000 students. The results were finalized following the latest vote counts released on Monday, November 10, 2026.
2Winston Wins Contentious Race
The race for Seat 6 proved to be the most competitive, with Randall Winston securing 38.7% of the vote. His opponent, Buelna, followed with 31.7% and officially conceded the race on Monday. Winston currently serves as the deputy mayor of infrastructure and climate resilience under Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
3Union Influence and Funding
The faculty union, AFT Local 1521, played a pivotal role in the election outcomes by providing significant financial backing. Between September 20 and October 17, the union contributed $800,000 to a committee supporting the three winning candidates. This funding facilitated extensive campaign efforts, including direct mailers sent to local voters.
4Veres Maintains Strong Lead
Incumbent Steve Veres leads the race for Seat 2 with 40.91% of the vote, compared to 33.48% for educator Adriana Cabrera. With nearly 97,000 more votes than his challenger, Veres remains in a strong position. Approximately 44,000 additional ballots are pending county-wide, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
5Harris Secures Decisive Victory
Darryn Harris, a government and community affairs officer for St. John’s Community Health, achieved the most significant margin of victory. He secured 57.3% of the vote in a seven-person race for Seat 4. Healthcare workforce specialist Elaine Alaniz finished in second place, trailing significantly with 14.4% of the total votes cast.
6Campaign Controversies Addressed
During the campaign, Winston faced criticism regarding his professional background. Opponents accused him of misleading the public by identifying as an architect and educator while working as a deputy mayor. Winston defended his credentials, citing his professional degree in architecture and his upcoming role teaching a leadership class at West L.A. College.
7Governance and District Scope
The Board of Trustees manages nine campuses across the Los Angeles Community College District. The majority of the 200,000 students enrolled in the district are classified as low-income individuals. Trustees are responsible for setting policy and overseeing the strategic direction of these institutions to ensure they provide accessible educational opportunities.
8Future Board Outlook
The election of these three trustees marks a shift in the board's composition, as the faculty union sought a different direction for the district's leadership. These newly elected officials will now oversee critical administrative and educational decisions. Their tenure will focus on addressing the needs of the district's diverse student population.