Rusty Bailey


William R. "Rusty" Bailey III is an American politician serving as the 17th Mayor of Riverside, California. Elected in 2012, Bailey succeeded Ronald O. Loveridge.

Early life and education

Bailey was born and raised in Riverside, California. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the United States Military Academy and served as a United States Army helicopter pilot. He earned a Master of Arts degree in public policy from the University of California, Los Angeles. He received a teaching credential from California State University, San Bernardino.

Career

Baily worked in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and Executive Office of the President as a part of the two-year Presidential Management Fellows Program. He later returned to Riverside and worked as a legislative aide to County Supervisor John F. Tavaglione. He was employeed at the Riverside County Economic Development Agency and taught high school government at Riverside Polytechnic High School. Bailey served as a member of the Riverside City Council from 2007 to 2012. Bailey was elected mayor of Riverside in the in 2012 and was re-elected in 2016. In 2019, Baily announced that he would not seek another term as mayor and focus his efforts on the local homeless crisis as a non-profit executive. Bailey is not affiliated with a political party.

Personal life

Bailey and his wife, Judy, have two daughters.