Michael Tubbs’ journey began in South Stockton. Michael’s mother gave birth to him when she was 16 years old, and Michael’s father has been incarcerated his entire life. Michael was raised by three forceful women – his mother, aunt, and grandmother. Despite the odds, Michael’s family and faith community instilled in him the values of resilience and service. That foundation paved a path from poverty in South Stockton to the classrooms of Stanford. He ran for political office while he was still a senior at Stanford, successfully campaigning for Councilmember for the City of Stockton District 6 at just 21 years old.
In 2016, he was elected Mayor of Stockton at the age of 26. He was the city’s first African-American Mayor, and the youngest Mayor of any major city in American history. As Mayor, Tubbs was lauded for his leadership and innovation. He raised over $20 million dollars to create the Stockton Scholars, a universal scholarship and mentorship program for Stockton students. Additionally, he piloted the first mayor-led guaranteed income pilot in the country.
Under his leadership, Stockton saw a 40% drop in homicides in 2018 and 2019 and led the state of California in the decline of officer involved shootings in 2019. Because of initiatives, investments, and work spearheaded by Michael, Stockton’s unemployment rate was near a record low at around 5.7% in 2019 – down from around 15% in 2012. It was even named the second most fiscally healthy city in California––after Michael saved the city from literal bankruptcy.
Michael is running to be California’s next lieutenant governor to build a California future that sets the example for how government can work for everyone; that leads the nation in not just talking about problems, but solving them. It’s a future where education – whether vocational programs or college – is accessible to all without crippling debt. It’s a future with enough affordable housing so folks can afford to live here. And it’s a future where we leverage guaranteed basic income programs to end poverty and prevent homelessness.
Michael Tubbs is the Special Advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility; the Founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income; and the Founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC).