About Dr. Roberto LaCarra
Candidate for California State Senate District 20
Overcoming Difficult Odds in Pursuit of Service to Our Communities and Country
Dr. Roberto LaCarra was born in Van Nuys and raised in the East San Fernando Valley. His parents instilled in him the importance of a community. Strong schools, public safety, affordable homes, and cultural pluralism are among the reasons Dr. LaCarra considers the San Fernando Valley the greatest suburban community ever created. His parents were members of the “greatest generation,” both growing up on the U.S.-Mexico border of El Paso, Texas, and Tijuana, Mexico.
Dr. LaCarra’s father was a WWII veteran, part of the Normandy D-Day invasion, a dishwasher, later a barber, and eventually a station officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. His mother was raised in Tijuana, Mexico, childhood friends with Margarita Cansino (Rita Hayworth), a housewife and a Southern Pacific Railroad and Department of Defense transportation clerk. They moved to the San Fernando Valley to realize their dream of home ownership and a safe community.
Dr. LaCarra’s father was a WWII veteran, part of the Normandy D-Day invasion, a dishwasher, later a barber, and eventually a station officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. His mother was raised in Tijuana, Mexico, childhood friends with Margarita Cansino (Rita Hayworth), a housewife and a Southern Pacific Railroad and Department of Defense transportation clerk. They moved to the San Fernando Valley to realize their dream of home ownership and a safe community.
Overcoming Childhood Challenges
Throughout Dr. LaCarra’s pre-teen and teenage years, he found it difficult to concentrate on school and eventually dropped out during the ninth and tenth grades, mostly due to losing his father at eleven from illness and his older brother to gang violence, substance abuse, and incarceration, burdens that overwhelmed him.
However, through mentoring and sports, Dr. LaCarra returned to school, although he never received a high school diploma. Instead, he earned his high school equivalency by studying and passing the GED. Never giving up, just overcoming the hardships of his youth.
Influences of Family and Resilience
Dr. LaCarra is very grateful to his parents for their move to the San Fernando Valley, but especially to his older brother Carlos, who unfortunately became caught in the criminal justice system – “He made every mistake I could have. Not once did he ever encourage me to do the same”.
Academic Pursuits and Teaching Legacy
Dr. LaCarra, recalling his academic potential fostered at Strathern Street Elementary, eventually enrolled at L.A. Valley College, beginning an inspirational success story as both a student and an instructor.
After serving on active duty, Dr. LaCarra earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University. He continued his commitment to life-long learning by earning four master’s degrees at MSMU, CSUN, UCI, and UCLA, and completing a Ph.D. and J.D. thereafter.
Commitment to Community Service
Dr. LaCarra interned in a U.S. Congressional Office for the San Fernando Valley and served as the first repositioned probation officer in Los Angeles County to assist in the reduction of gang violence in the San Fernando Valley. While teaching at Los Angeles Valley College, he increased enrollment in Ethnic Studies classes, which fueled the adoption of these courses in the general curriculum thereafter.
Advocating for Vulnerable Populations
As a probation officer, school counselor, and community college instructor, Dr. LaCarra saw firsthand the gaps in our educational programs, criminal justice, and mental health systems towards vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, gang youth, crime victims, domestic violence survivors, and senior citizens. These experiences have inspired him to advocate for policies that improve access to these crucial services.
A Champion for At-Promise Youth
Dr. LaCarra is a leading voice for at-promise youth and anybody seeking to reach their highest potential through education and career technical education.
Prior to running to become a State Senator, Dr. LaCarra helped the community through teaching, counseling, and mentoring the next generation of law enforcement officers, probation youth, and high school students involved with peer-to-peer assistance of at-promise youth, gang prevention programs, and early intervention programs, as well as educating students attending community college.
Deep Roots in the Community
Dr. LaCarra has been a long-time resident of California’s 20th State Senate District, residing in his home in North Hollywood. He relishes his fond memories of family, friends, and neighbors of the San Fernando Valley. In his free time, he enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, including the Los Angeles Rams, Dodgers, Lakers, and college teams.