Santa Maria City Council District 1 · Nov 3, 2026
Gary Janek Michaels
Candidate for City Council District 1
Gary Janek Michaels is running for Santa Maria City Council District 1 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Ricardo Batalla and Celest Mendoza.
Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to all eligible voters (Oct. 5 to Oct. 27) · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayPresident of E-rate Compass, a consultancy he launched in 2017 that helps schools secure federal funding. He previously worked for Comcast Cable and Time Warner Cable.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Small Business Owner
- Campaign website
- changewithgary.com
Where Gary Janek Michaels stands: positions on the record
Sales tax1 sourced position
Says the city should not keep asking families to cover deficits through sales tax increases.
“We cannot continue to manage decline, burn through our emergency savings to mask structural deficits, and then turn around and ask struggling families to bail out administrative errors through endless sales tax hikes.”
Own statementGary Janek Michaels campaign site
City budget1 sourced position
Proposes an independent Citizens Oversight Committee to review city spending.
“An independent Citizens Oversight Committee so City Hall doesn't grade its own homework.”
Own statementGary Janek Michaels campaign site
Housing and growth1 sourced position
Says housing growth is spreading across the city and should be centralized.
“We can center it, we can collate it and centralize it.”
Own statementKEYT · Sep 29, 2026
Aquatic center1 sourced position
Lists saving youth programs, including the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, as a priority.
“Save youth programs — like the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center — and elevate student success.”
Own statementGary Janek Michaels campaign site
Downtown1 sourced position
Calls for cleaning up the Gateway District along Main Street and Broadway to attract employers.
“The key to building an AG Tech cluster and attracting employers back to Santa Maria.”
Own statementGary Janek Michaels campaign site
Past candidacies2 sourced positions
Ran for State Senate District 19 in 2020 as a Republican candidate (lost).
Own statementCalifornia Secretary of State
Ran for State Assembly District 47 in 2022 as a Republican candidate (lost).
Own statementCalifornia Secretary of State
Also running for City Council District 1
- Ricardo Batalla (incumbent)
- Celest Mendoza
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