At 35, Michael Tubbs carries the urgency of a leader shaped by crisis—and the conviction of someone who believes government can still deliver. Now running for lieutenant governor, the former Stockton mayor is leaning on a record forged in one of California’s most challenged cities to argue he’s ready for a bigger stage.
“I’m a next-generation leader with experience,” Tubbs said, pointing to his tenure leading Stockton through bankruptcy recovery, COVID-19, the first Trump administration, and the national reckoning following the murder of George Floyd. Governing with a divided city council—three Republicans and three Democrats—he argues, prepared him for the kind of complexity that defines California today. “I’ve had to lead in tough and crisis, and still get things done.”
That record, he believes, is his differentiator.
Though his name recognition statewide is still growing, Tubbs says his work often precedes him. Voters may not immediately recognize his name, but many are familiar with the policies that put him on the national map—particularly Stockton’s groundbreaking guaranteed income pilot. “They know about the basic income program. Our job is connecting the dots.”
That program—providing no-strings-attached cash payments to residents—has since been replicated across dozens of cities and counties, including Los Angeles. Tubbs remains unequivocal about its future. “100 percent, it should be scaled,” he said, framing it as a direct response to California’s affordability crisis. “People are working incredibly hard and still can’t afford housing or childcare. We know from the data—this works.”
Before launching his campaign, Tubbs continued advancing that work through a portfolio of initiatives focused on economic mobility and systems change. He leads End Poverty in California, an organization working with local communities and governments across the state—including efforts in Los Angeles County—to develop and implement anti-poverty strategies. He also founded Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, a national coalition of more than 200 mayors, along with county and state officials, working to pilot, expand, and advocate for guaranteed income programs nationwide. In addition, Tubbs spent time investing in government technology and minority-led startups, supporting entrepreneurs focused on making public systems more efficient and equitable.
For Tubbs, economic equity is not just policy—it’s foundational. “We’re the fourth largest economy in the world,” he said. “There’s no excuse why everyone shouldn’t benefit from that.” He acknowledges critics who call such ideas unrealistic but dismisses the argument as disconnected from everyday struggle. “What’s good enough for some should be good enough for everyone.”
His approach to governance is similarly grounded. While often labeled a progressive, Tubbs describes himself as “deeply pragmatic.” Raised in the Black church, his values center on dignity, equity, and opportunity—but his strategy is focused squarely on outcomes. “I’m not committed to being right,” he said. “I’m committed to getting it right.”
That pragmatism shapes how he views the lieutenant governor’s role—not as ceremonial, but as a platform for action. He points to former Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s use of the ballot initiative process to advance major policy changes, including marijuana legalization, as a model for how the office can drive change. Tubbs sees similar opportunities, particularly around affordability, housing, and economic mobility.
He also zeroes in on the office’s influence over higher education. As a member of the UC, CSU, and community college boards, Tubbs says he would oppose tuition increases and push aggressively for student and workforce housing. “You have students sleeping in cars and workers commuting hours to campus, while there’s land that could be used for housing,” he said. “That has to change.”
On emerging issues like artificial intelligence, Tubbs is already looking ahead. He warns of widespread job displacement and argues that the state must act proactively—through worker retraining, corporate accountability, and, again, guaranteed income. “Doing nothing isn’t an option,” he said.
Still, Tubbs’ campaign is as much about moral framing as it is policy detail. He believes many of California’s biggest challenges—homelessness, poverty, immigration—cannot be solved if they remain confined to partisan debate. “These aren’t just political issues,” he said. “They’re moral issues.”
That perspective informs his deep engagement with faith communities, which he sees as essential partners in both policy and outreach. “Some of the best social service work happens in churches,” he noted, emphasizing the need for stronger connections between government resources and faith-based institutions already serving communities on the ground.
Tubbs also draws motivation from outside traditional politics. He frequently cites his mother, grandmother, and civil rights leader Marian Wright Edelman as formative influences—figures who modeled service, persistence, and long-term thinking.
At 35, Tubbs is also candid about his ambition. While focused on the lieutenant governor’s race, he doesn’t rule out higher office. “I hope I do such a good job that other opportunities open up,” he said, acknowledging that a future run for governor is not off the table.
For now, though, he embraces his role as the underdog. Despite running second in the polls to California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Tubbs points to strong endorsements—from SEIU, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and a coalition of statewide leaders—as evidence of momentum. More importantly, he says, his campaign gains ground the more voters hear his story.
“I’ve never done anything where people thought it was possible,” he said. “I’m used to being the underdog.”
Win or lose, Tubbs insists the mission remains the same: building a California where opportunity is not reserved for the few. “It’s about making government work for everyone,” he said. “The role may change—but the work doesn’t.”