Rudy Reyes | |
|---|---|
 Rudy Reyes in Santee, California, 2011 | |
| Born | (1977-02-27)February 27, 1977 (age 48) |
| Education | San Diego State University (BS) California Western School of Law (JD) |
| Occupations | Science teacher, chef |
| Known for | Cannabis rights activism |
| Political party | Legal Marijuana Now |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic |
Rodolfo “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 theshow's fourth season.[1][2]
Californian Reyes, known for his bravery during theCedar Fire of 2003, volunteers as a mentor for young burn survivors, and spokesperson forUnited Way and the Burn Institute.[3][4]
Heroism during 2003 wildfire
A resident ofSan 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]
After theWitch Creek wildfire burned San Diego County again four years later in 2007, Reyes became critical of his representative on theSan 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]
While making the cannabis documentaryHow Weed Won the West, in 2010, Reyes worked with producer and directorKevin Booth, and was featured portraying himself in the film.[13]
Reyes ran forSantee, California, City Council in 2010,[14] San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 2012,[15] and for Santee Mayor, against 12-year incumbentRandy Voepel, in 2012.[16]
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]
Reyes appeared as a contestant in the reality television competition,MasterChef, on the premiere episode of the show's fourth season.[2]
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.
In 2018, Reyes ran unsuccessfully for District 2 Santee City Council.[20] He was endorsed by the San DiegoDemocratic Party.[21] Reyes received 1,510 votes, more than 31 percent, in the November 6 general election.[22]
Reyes, who previously was nominated by theLegal Marijuana Now Party in 2020 to run forVice-president of the United States, was a candidate in the 2024Minnesota Legal Marijuana Nowpresidential primary held onSuper Tuesday. Reyes received 365 votes on March 5, approximately fourteen percent, in the 6-way race.[23][24] Minnesota businessmanDennis Schuller, the 2024 LMNP presidential nominee, picked Reyes for his running mate, in May, and their November 5 write-in campaign was certified in several states and territories.[25]
Rudy Reyes, who belongs to theBarona Band ofMission Indians, graduated fromEl Capitan High School inLakeside, California. He holds degrees in archeology and anthropology fromSan Diego State University, and a degree fromCalifornia Western School of Law. Reyes serves as national chairperson for the Legal Marijuana Now Party.[26]
Rudy Reyes has run for public office several times, including:
Rudy Reyes, who had a role as himself in the 2010 documentary filmHow 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]
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."
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.
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