Michael J. Rubio
| Michael J. Rubio | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California Senate from the 16th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office December 6, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Dean Florez |
| Member of the Kern County Board of Supervisors from the 5th District | |
| In office January 3, 2005 – December 6, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Pete Parra |
| Succeeded by | Karen Goh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 24, 1977 (1977-08-24) Lost Hills, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Dora Rubio |
| Residence | East Bakersfield, California |
| Alma mater | John F. Kennedy School of Government Bakersfield College University of New Haven |
| Profession | Politician |
| Website | Senate Website |
Michael J. Rubio (born August 24, 1977[1]) is a California State Senator representing the 16th Senate District. He previously served as Fifth District Kern County Supervisor representing the communities of Arvin, Lamont and East Bakersfield.
Contents[hide] |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Career
Michael J. Rubio put himself through Bakersfield College and subsequently studied Justice Administration at the University of New Haven in Connecticut, graduating with honors in Criminology. Rubio worked for the United States Department of Justice.[2]
Rubio returned to Kern County with a job as an advocate for youth and led an agency that provided health insurance to underprivileged children.
For four years, Rubio worked for State Senator Dean Florez. In Florez's Sacramento office, Rubio worked on issues such as the quality of air in the San Joaquin Valley, opposing sludge coming into Kern County from Los Angeles and other surrounding areas, as well as initiatives in education.[2]
Senator Michael J. Rubio was elected to the 16th State Senate District in November 2010, representing all or portions of Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare Counties.
In March 2004, Senator Michael J. Rubio was elected to represent the Fifth District on the Kern County Board of Supervisors and, at the time, became the youngest elected supervisor in California. Notably, Senator Rubio is also the youngest Senator currently serving in the California State Senate.
Senator Rubio led the effort to combat gang violence within the southern Central Valley. The Kern County Gang Violence Strategic Plan—authored by then-Supervisor Michael Rubio—guided the tripling of the Sheriff's Gang Unit, created mentoring and after-school programs and steered children away from gangs.
While on the Kern County Board of Supervisors, Senator Rubio spearheaded the Kern County Renewable Energy initiative and has worked to facilitate the development of some of the largest solar and wind projects in California.
Senator Rubio firmly believes that putting people back to work needs to be the state's first order of business. From restoring water in the San Joaquin Valley to introducing SB 16 which streamlines the permitting processes for renewable energy projects, he recognizes the importance of creating jobs and its connection to a better quality of life for all Californians.
He was also awarded the prestigious John F. Kennedy Jr. Leadership Award from the California Democratic Party and the German Marshall Memorial Fellowship from the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Recently, Senator Rubio received the Kern COG Regional Award of Merit – Distinguished Leadership / Elected Official and completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
[edit] Committees
Senator Rubio currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, Subcommittee No. 4 and also sits on the following Senate committees:
Standing Committees:
- Agriculture Committee (Vice Chair)
- Budget and Fiscal Review
- Energy, Utilities and Communications
- Health
- Transportation and Housing
- Veterans Affairs
Joint Committee:
- Legislative Audit
[edit] State Senate candidacy
In July 2008, Rubio announced his intention to run for state senate when Senator Florez's term expires in 2010.[3] He chose not to accept voluntary spending limits and expected to spend $1 million on his campaign.[4]
In June 2010, Kern County Clerk Ann Barnett revealed that Rubio was living in the 18th Senate District, calling into question his eligibility to run for office in the 16th.[5] In 2001, Rubio's precinct was incorrectly drawn into the 16th State Senate District. The California Secretary of State ruled that Rubio's name would remain on the ballot. Acting in good faith to further address the situation, Rubio and his family immediately moved to a house inside the district in East Bakersfield. He subsequently released a radio ad about the incident citing the mistake as yet another example of broken government.[4]
On Tuesday, November 2, Michael J. Rubio was elected to represent the 16th District in the California State Senate. He defeated his Republican opponent, Tim Thiesen, with over 60% of the vote.
[edit] Opposition to Proposition 19
Rubio came out against Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010. He characterized the initiative as "bad public policy" and spent $20,000 of his own money to air radio ads opposing the proposition.[4]
[edit] Personal life
Rubio lives in East Bakersfield with his wife, Dora, and their daughter, Illiana. Dora Rubio was a superdelegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Senator Michael Rubio of California
- ^ a b "Kern County 5th District Supervisor – Biography". Co.kern.ca.us. http://www.co.kern.ca.us/bos/dist5/biography.asp. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ a b c Garofoli, Joe (July 26, 2010). "A first: Bakersfield Dem puts up $20K for radio ad opposing pot legalization". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nov05election/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=68757. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
- ^ Thompson, Don (June 24, 2010). "Calif. Democratic nominee lives outside district". Associated Press. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jun/24/calif-democratic-nominee-lives-outside-district/. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
- ^ "Calif. Democrats select final superdelegates to convention", San Jose Mercury News, May 18, 2008.
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