Kathryn Barger

Kathryn Barger
Name	Kathryn Barger
Office	Member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Term start	2016
Predecessor	Michael D. Antonovich
Birth date	1963
Birth place	Los Angeles County, California
Party	Republican Party (United States)
Alma mater	California State University, Los Angeles

Kathryn Barger is an American public official who has served on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors since 2016 representing the Fifth District. She is known for work on regional services, public safety, health, and homelessness, and for continuing initiatives begun by her predecessor, Michael D. Antonovich. Barger's public profile intersects with agencies such as the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and collaborations with local and federal actors including City of Los Angeles, California State Legislature, and members of the United States Congress.

Early life and education

Barger was born and raised in San Gabriel Valley within Los Angeles County, California, and attended schools in the region before earning a bachelor's degree from California State University, Los Angeles. During her formative years she was exposed to civic institutions such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and local civic groups including the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. Her education connected her to alumni networks at Cal State LA and to regional policy forums involving agencies like the Governor of California's office and the California State Assembly.

Early career and public service

Barger began a lengthy career in public service as a staffer and aide in county and state offices, working with elected officials associated with bodies such as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the California State Senate, and municipal governments including the City of Lancaster, California and the City of Palmdale, California. She served under supervisors and policymakers who engaged with institutions like the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, the California Department of Social Services, and regional law enforcement partners including the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. Her responsibilities included constituent services, intergovernmental relations with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and coordination with nonprofit stakeholders such as the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Barger was elected to the Fifth District seat of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in a special election to succeed Michael D. Antonovich, joining colleagues on the board including Sheila Kuehl, Hilda Solis, Janice Hahn, and other contemporaries. On the board she served on committees overseeing agencies such as the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Barger engaged in regional coordination with transit authorities like Metrolink (California), the Southern California Association of Governments, and state entities including the California High-Speed Rail Authority on infrastructure and mobility initiatives.

Policy positions and initiatives

Barger has emphasized public safety, behavioral health, and homelessness interventions, coordinating with institutions such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the Los Angeles County Probation Department, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. She has supported partnerships with healthcare providers including Kaiser Permanente, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and hospitals within the University of California system, as well as mental health efforts aligned with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. On housing and homelessness, she has worked with municipal governments like the City of Pasadena and the City of Long Beach, regional funders such as the Los Angeles County Development Authority, and state programs administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Barger has also engaged with emergency management agencies including the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the California Office of Emergency Services, and federal partners such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development for disaster response and recovery. Her policy portfolio intersected with transportation projects supported by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and public safety reforms discussed with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union.

Electoral history

Barger's initial election to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors occurred in a special election; subsequent electoral cycles involved campaigns that engaged local party organizations including the Republican Party (United States), civic groups such as the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County, and media coverage by outlets like the Los Angeles Times, KTLA (TV), and Los Angeles Daily News. Endorsements and campaign activities connected her to elected figures across levels, including members of the California State Assembly, the California State Senate, and members of United States Congress representing Southern California districts. Her electoral history reflects vote tallies and contests typical of countywide supervisory races that draw participation from municipalities including Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and the San Gabriel Valley.

Personal life and community involvement

Barger resides in the Fifth District and participates in community organizations and philanthropic efforts tied to regional institutions such as the San Fernando Valley, the Arroyo Seco Foundation, and faith-based groups across communities. She has worked with service providers including Volunteers of America, community health centers affiliated with the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, and veterans' organizations like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars on constituent priorities. Her community engagement includes appearances at civic events hosted by chambers of commerce such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and cultural festivals sponsored by municipalities within her district.

Category:Members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Category:California Republicans Category:People from Los Angeles County, California