Biography

Rich Desmond – Sacramento County Supervisor, District 3

Rich Desmond is a fifth-generation Sacramento County resident and a lifelong member of the Carmichael community, where he lives with his wife, Lisa, and their five children. Elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024, Rich represents District 3 on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, serving over 300,000 residents. He served as Chair of the Board in 2023 and currently chairs the Urban Counties of California and the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency.

Rich is dedicated to ensuring that local government is responsive, accountable, and fiscally responsible. His priorities include expanding economic opportunity, reducing homelessness, improving transportation and infrastructure, and strengthening County services for residents and businesses. Through his leadership, Rich works to bring practical solutions and regional collaboration to some of the County’s most pressing challenges.

Before his election, Rich served a 24-year career with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), where he rose to the rank of Chief. As Commander of CHP field operations in eastern Sacramento County and later as Chief of Legislative Affairs, he worked closely with state leaders on issues of transparency, training, and public safety policy. In 2018, he was appointed Chief Sergeant-at-Arms of the California State Assembly, a position he held until his retirement in 2019.

A graduate of Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Rich went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, passing the California Bar Exam in 2000.

Rich is deeply rooted in community service. He has served as a Commissioner on the Sacramento County Adult and Aging Commission, the Carmichael Planning and Advisory Commission, and as a volunteer board member for the Aerospace Museum of California. He is also an active member of the Carmichael Kiwanis and frequently volunteers at cleanups along the American River Parkway.

 As a former CHP officer, attorney, volunteer, and parent, Rich serves on the Board of Supervisors to give back to his community. Through his decades of public service, spanning law enforcement, state government, and county leadership, Rich has remained committed to improving the quality of life in Sacramento County. He brings a unique blend of experience, local knowledge, and dedication to ensuring the County remains a safe, thriving, and vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family.