William R. “Rusty" Bailey III is a Riverside native who was born in the City of Riverside - and in fact, in the Ward he has the honor of representing. Rusty’s family came to Riverside in 1914 and has a long history of service to the community - now in its 4th generation.
Since graduating from West Point with a degree in political science in 1994, Rusty has worked in a variety of public service positions and has earned a Master's Degree in Public Policy from UCLA.
In his role as Councilmember, Rusty is Chair of the Land Use/Utility Services/Energy Development Committee, Vice Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee and a member of the Mayor's Nominating and Screening Committee and the Community Services and Youth Committee.
Rusty Bailey has the vision, experience, leadership and ability to lead the City of Riverside as Mayor. Currently serving his second term on the City Council, Rusty’s accessibility and record of accomplishment representing Ward 3 earned him more than 85% of the vote in his re-election.
Skilled at teamwork and consensus-building, Rusty graduated from the U.S. Military Acadmey and has worked all of his life in public service in a range of capacities. He has the understanding of public policy and relationships at the local, state and national levels to effectively address what matters most to Riversiders.
Rusty can often be found cycling around the city with his wife, Judy, and their two daughters. Deeply ingrained in the community that raised him, Rusty is an active member of his church, a teacher at Poly High School and mentor to dozens of teenagers and at-risk youth.
Rusty is focused on making Riverside vibrant, growing and capable of providing the quality of life he believes his daughters and the next generation deserve. A champion of responsible governance, Rusty will build on the special initiatives – Clean and Green, Sister Cities, business and higher education partnerships – that have made Riverside a model among Inland Empire cities.
Among his many accomplishments, Rusty has served as a helicopter pilot, platoon leader, and Company Executive Officer in the U.S. Army. He earned a two year Presidential Management Fellowship and worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Executive Office of the President in Washington D.C. In addition, Rusty served as a Legislative Aide for County Supervisor John F. Tavaglione and worked at the Riverside County Economic Development Agency. Until his election, he was a member of the City of Riverside Cultural Heritage Board and is currently in his tenth year as a Government teacher at Poly High School in Riverside.
Rusty’s volunteer-driven, positive and issue-oriented campaign is supported by business owners, students and Riversiders of all ages and backgrounds.
Rusty lives in the Magnolia Center neighborhood of Riverside with his wife Judy, a former elementary and middle school teacher, and his two daughters: Elizabeth (9) and Julia (5).
