On April 22, 2008, Lancaster native R. Rex Parris became the third directly-elected Mayor of Lancaster. Immediately upon taking office, Mayor Parris embarked on a mission to dramatically reduce Lancaster’s crime rate. As a result of his steadfast resolve, the City’s crime rate plummeted 32% in just two years. The Mayor has also rallied city and regional officials around his vision of making Lancaster the Alternative Energy Capital of the World. His many successes in this arena have not gone unnoticed; as the city’s alternative energy efforts have repeatedly received worldwide media attention.


The mayor has also served as the catalyst for Lancaster’s downtown renaissance which has introduced an entirely new atmosphere, look, and economy to this historically, and culturally valuable area of the community.

As a result of his strong leadership style and numerous accomplishments, in April of 2010, the citizens of Lancaster re-elected Mayor Parris to a second two-year term by an overwhelming margin.

In addition to his mayoral duties, Parris has an established national reputation as a successful civil justice attorney, entrepreneur, sought after speaker, and published author. In 2009, Parris represented two of five former employers of the Guess? Inc. jeans company, helping win a historic $370 million verdict.

Mayor Parris devotes a substantial amount of his time and income to improving the lives of young people. He also generously supports education in the Antelope Valley. In recognition of his many contributions, the Antelope Valley Union High School District named one of its high schools R. Rex Parris High School in his honor. Mayor Parris proudly attributes many of his accomplishments in life to his mother, an image of perseverance and abiding faith.

With his wife, Carrol, by his side, Mayor Parris has received a number of charitable and humanitarian awards. The couple has shared their blessings in many ways including providing ongoing financial support for a local food bank and vehicles for the Sheriff’s department, while participating in many events honoring law enforcement personnel. In addition, they generously fund local scholarships, and have provided financial support to Pepperdine University and Antelope Valley Community College.

In 2005, Mayor Parris was named the Antelope Valley’s Boy Scout’s Citizen of the Year. In 2006, he co-founded a gang prevention task force which was one of the impetuses for Lancaster crime reduction. In 2008, Grace Resources presented the “Spirit of Grace Award” toRex and Carrol Parris for their ongoing philanthropic endeavors.

Mayor Parris is a graduate of Antelope Valley Community College, and the prestigious Scholar’s Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He earned his Juris Doctor Degree from Southwestern University School of Law, and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1980.