Ventura County was once a place where hard work could build a stable, good life.
Families could afford homes. Small businesses could grow. People believed the future would be better for the next generation.
Today, that promise feels further out of reach.
Housing costs are soaring. Insurance premiums keep rising. Wages are not keeping pace with the real cost of living, and too many working families are being pushed out of the communities they helped build.
At the same time, California is changing faster than ever — from AI and technology to climate challenges and the future of work — yet our politics too often remain stuck in the past.
It’s time for a new generation of leadership that is bold, forward-thinking, and focused on building a more affordable, innovative, and resilient future for Californians.
Ventura County has deep roots in Michael’s life.
This is where Michael built his life.
Where his family planted roots.
Where he learned that community is not just a place — it’s the people who show up for each other, work hard, and believe in something bigger than themselves.
But right now, too many people in Ventura County feel like the future is slipping out of reach. Families are working harder than ever just to stay afloat. Young people are wondering if they will ever be able to afford to live in the communities they grew up in. And too many residents feel like the people in power are no longer fighting for them.
Michael is running because California deserves leadership that understands this moment, believes in what our future can still be, and is willing to fight for a state where working people can afford to live, families can thrive, and the next generation can build their future here again.
A future where working people can thrive.
Where the next generation can stay.
And where Ventura County leads again with hope, innovation, and purpose.
“I’ve spent my career on the front lines of government — working in local communities, supporting State Senators, and helping people navigate systems that too often feel disconnected from everyday life. I’ve seen what works, what’s broken, and how far too many families are being left behind by politics that no longer meet the urgency of this moment.
California deserves a new generation of leadership that is bold enough to challenge the status quo, modern enough to prepare for the future, and grounded enough to never lose sight of the people we serve.”
- Michael MacDonald
Ventura City Clerk