Candidate for
United States Representative; District 28; Democratic Party

Richard Valdez was born in 1969 in Panorama City, California. He is one of three sons to children of Mexican immigrants.

After graduating from San Fernando High School, Richard Valdez enrolled in the US Army to serve his country. He served as a member of the 197th Support Battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Richard attended LA Valley College after his honorable discharge from the military. He transferred to San Diego State University where he earned a Bachelors Degree in psychology. Richard is thankful for having the GI bill benefits that helped him make it through college. He helped put himself through college by working at a Salvation Army homeless shelter and working with his hands as a house painter.

Richard is currently working as a real estate broker specializing in residential home sales. He has also been actively involved in assisting home owners in their attempts to obtain loan modifications in order to keep their homes. He attends Praise Chapel of Mission Hills. Richard is married to Melissa who is a grade school teacher and is a proud parent of two children, Andrew and Amy. In his spare time, Richard Valdez likes to run marathons and compete in Triathlons. His toughest race was completing an Ironman distance triathlon in Sonoma County, which was a 140.6 mile race.

Richard Valdez believes in making our communities better. For several years he has conducted fundraisers for Team Parkinson's, the Red Cross for the benefit of the Hurricane Katrina Victims and the Asian Tsunami Victims. He organizes annual blood drives benefiting the children undergoing life saving treatments at Childrens Hospital LA. He is currently raising funds for the new building of Childrens Hospital LA.