Rudy Reyes (activist)

Rudy Reyes (born February 27, 1977) is an American teacher, actor, archaeologist, cannabis rights activist, and chef. Reyes was a contestant in the reality television competition, MasterChef, on the show's fourth season.[1][2]

This article is about the teacher. For other people with similar names, see Rudy Reyes.

Rudy Reyes
Born (1977-02-27) February 27, 1977
Sacramento, California
NationalityAmerican
Alma materSan Diego State University
Occupation(s)Science teacher, chef
Known forCannabis rights activism
Political partyLegal Marijuana Now
Other political
affiliations		Democratic

Californian Reyes, known for his bravery during the Cedar Fire of 2003, volunteers as a mentor for young burn survivors, and spokesperson for United Way and the Burn Institute.[3][4]

Cedar Fire survivor

Heroism during 2003 wildfire

A resident of San Diego County, California, Reyes became known for his role in the Cedar Fire of 2003. During the fire, he helped others get to safety first, before he was trapped by the fire. Reyes soaked himself in the shower, and ran more than a mile through the fire. He sustained burns over approximately 70 percent of his body, and lost one ear and part of a finger.[5][6]

Reyes has had numerous surgeries and uses cannabis salve to aid healing of his skin. According to Reyes, vaporized marijuana was more effective than other drugs prescribed for pain while he was hospitalized.[7][8]

Early activism

After the Witch Creek wildfire burned San Diego County again four years later in 2007, Reyes became critical of his representative on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Dianne Jacob, for her vote to spend the county's resources to file a lawsuit against California's medical marijuana law, Proposition 215, which was passed by voters in 1996, rather than using the public's money to build a hospital and for fire prevention.[9][10][11]

Reyes ran against Jacob and lost, but Reyes received more than 20,000 votes, about 22 percent, in the June 3, 2008, election.[12]

2010s career

How Weed Won the West film appearance

While making the cannabis documentary How Weed Won the West, in 2010, Reyes worked with producer and director Kevin Booth, and was featured portraying himself in the film.[13]

2010—2012 candidacies

Reyes ran for Santee, California, City Council in 2010,[14] San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 2012,[15] and for Santee Mayor, against 12-year incumbent Randy Voepel, in 2012.[16]

Quail Brush power plant critic

In 2012, archeologist Reyes testified against the Quail Brush power plant proposed in San Diego, near Santee, which was opposed by the Santee City Council.[17]

2013 MasterChef contestant

Reyes appeared as a contestant in the reality television competition, MasterChef, on the premiere episode of the show's fourth season.[2]

2016 San Diego County Board of Supervisors candidate

Reyes ran for San Diego County Board of Supervisors, District 2, in 2016 and lost.[18] The only Democratic candidate to face Republican incumbent Jacob, Reyes campaigned for increased fire protections and to make medical marijuana more accessible.[19] In the June 7 primary, Reyes received more than 38,000 votes, almost 27 percent.

2018 Santee City Council candidate

In 2018, Reyes ran unsuccessfully for District 2 Santee City Council.[20] He was endorsed by the San Diego Democratic Party.[21] Reyes received 1,510 votes, more than 31 percent, in the November 6 general election.[22]

2020s activism

Vice-presidential campaign

Reyes was nominated by the Legal Marijuana Now Party, in 2020, to run for Vice-president of the United States. But due to 2020 Iowa COVID-19 petitioning obstacles, the campaign was postponed until 2024.[23]

Personal life

Early life and education

Rudy Reyes, who belongs to the Barona Band of Mission Indians, graduated from El Capitan High School in Lakeside, California. He holds degrees in archeology and anthropology from San Diego State University, and a degree from California Western School of Law.[24]

Political candidacy

Rudy Reyes has run for public office several times, including:

Television and film

Rudy Reyes, who had a role as himself in the 2010 documentary film How Weed Won the West, was a contestant in the television competition, MasterChef, on the first episode in Season 4 of the American reality show, in 2013.[2][13]

References
  1. Stein, Harvey (November 2, 2012). "Marijuana's Watershed Year?". The Huffington Post.
  2. Bartholow, Steven (May 22, 2013). "Rudy Reyes: From Medical Marijuana to TV's 'Masterchef'". Santee Patch.
  3. Spagat, Elliot (January 10, 2004). "After October wildfires, two survivors begin long recovery". Arizona Daily Sun. Rudy Reyes — burned over 65 percent of his body — can barely move his arms and legs and an operation last week to graft skin from his stomach to his right hand increased his use of painkillers. The 26-year-old barely escaped the blaze, forced to run to safety after his car wouldn't start. The rest of his family was unharmed. ... Reyes, a weightlifting buff, also has a harrowing tale and vivid memories of what happened ... "He told me to go and said he'd follow. He was more worried about me and my mom getting out in time than he was about himself."
  4. Davidovich, Eugene (September 27, 2010). "Rudy Reyes: Activist, Patient, Politician". Smart Voter.
  5. Snelling, Mark (March 28, 2008). "Cedar Fire Survivor Running for County Supervisor". OB Rag.
  6. Christie, Jake (July 18, 2012). "Rudy Reyes challenges Jacob in supervisor race". The East County Californian.
  7. Davis, Kelly (April 23, 2007). "Burn Victim Fights to Get Medical Marijuana in San Diego". Cannabis Culture. Hero because during the 2003 Cedar fire, the then-26-year-old made sure his family got out of their Wildcat Canyon home before he tried to leave. Unable to start his car, Reyes sprinted through a wall of flames and came out burned over more than 65 percent of his body. He lost most of his left ear and part of a finger. ... Despite it all, Reyes is charismatic and thoroughly likeable guy driven to make the most of his life. Problem is, he needs marijuana to do that. The drug has proved a better option than the morphine and OxyContin he was prescribed to cope with the pain he battled during his long recovery.
  8. Hindmon, Jade (April 10, 2018). "UC San Diego Doctor Uses Cannabis To Treat Pain". KPBS Public Media.
  9. St. Pierre, Allen (November 5, 2012). "Rudy Reyes: Medical Marijuana Patient Turned Politician". NORML Blog.
  10. Conaughton, Gig (June 6, 2007). "Voting critics object at county budget opening; patient also asks county to drop medical marijuana challenge". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  11. "Medical Marijuana Interview with Activist & Hero Rudy Reyes". Dallas/Fort Worth NORML. April 15, 2013.
  12. Raftery, Miriam (October 27, 2013). "Flames that scorched community 10 years ago have forged strength in survivors, though scars remain". East County Magazine.
  13. Jones, Alex (August 30, 2010). "How Weed Won The West: A Documentary On Marijuana". Psychedelic Adventure.
  14. Sherman, Lola (September 19, 2010). "8 compete to win 3 seats on Santee council". East County Magazine.
  15. "Jacob wins sixth term on San Diego County Board of Supervisors". East County Magazine. June 13, 2012.
  16. "Santee Mayor: Rudy Reyes". The San Diego Union-Tribune. October 9, 2012.
  17. Pearlman, Karen (March 28, 2012). "Santee council takes stand against power plant". Daily Press.
  18. Porter, Doug (May 17, 2016). "Much Ado About Money – County Supervisors on the Primary Ballot". San Diego Free Press.
  19. Stewart, Joshua (November 14, 2015). "After slow start, supervisor race picks up". The Baltimore Sun.
  20. "Rudy Reyes campaigns for Santee City Council". KUSI-TV. October 30, 2018.
  21. "Hear Our Interview: Rudy Reyes, Fire Survivor Running for Santee City Council District 2". East County Magazine. November 1, 2018.
  22. "Election History 1980–Current". Santee City Clerk. February 2019.
  23. "Vice Presidential Candidates from Third Parties in the United States: Rudy Reyes, 2020 VP Legal Marijuana Now Party". Third Party Second Bananas. July 23, 2019.
  24. Regan, Kathleen (June 1, 2017). "2017 American Indian Graduation Ceremony". San Diego State University.
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