Carl DeMaio

Email editor@[the profile publisher].org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Carl DeMaio was born in Dubuque, Iowa. He earned a high school diploma from Georgetown Preparatory and a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University in 1996. He founded the Performance Institute, the American Strategic Management Institute, and Reform California. As of his 2020 campaign, DeMaio was chairman of Reform California and hosted a daily radio show, "The DeMaio Report," on KOGO in San Diego.[1][2][3][4]

Carl DeMaio has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

If you are Carl DeMaio, click here to fill out [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out the candidate survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete [the profile publisher]'s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's [the profile publisher] profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 32,000 candidates have taken [the profile publisher]'s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Carl DeMaio to fill out this survey by using the button below.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Carl DeMaio is a small business owner who also serves as Chairman of Reform California - a statewide grassroots organization with a mission to hold state and local government accountable for efficiency and transparency. DeMaio previously served on the San Diego City Council - where he helped save the city from bankruptcy during the financial crisis of the early 2000s. DeMaio led a reform movement to balance the budget without tax hikes - and helped to restore police and fire services that the previous politicians had cut. DeMaio is running without any special interest support - and relies on small contributions from grassroots supporters. DeMaio says Sacramento has failed working families and has only benefited rich and powerful special interests who dominate politics with dark money contributions. California is on the wrong track - and it will take new and independent leaders like Carl DeMaio to fix things.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

FIGHT INFLATION: Block unfair tax hikes and costly mandates that are crushing working families and small businesses. Help homeowners find and keep affordable fire insurance and health insurance. Stop the gas tax and utility rate spikes politicians keep imposing!SECURE THE BORDER: Stop human trafficking and the dangerous flow of illegal drugs across the border by supporting border patrol with state guard deployments; repeal the irresponsible Sanctuary State law that shields criminals from deportation; and stop giving taxpayer-funded welfare handouts to illegal immigrants to incentivize them to come here illegally.COMBAT CRIME - IMPROVE SAFETY: Support police and fire by fully funding public safety budgets and giving them the tools to do their jobs! Carl DeMaio authored the citizens' initiative to guarantee police and firefighters death and disability benefits. DeMaio is also helping lead passage of Prop 36 to restore the power of police and prosecutors to arrest and punish criminals.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Making California Affordable; improving schools; reducing homelessness; and standing up for working families against the powerful special interests that too often dominate politics with their campaign dark money contributions.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My mother - who fought terminal cancer when I was a child and never gave up.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Just check out my Reform California website at www.ReformCalifornia.org

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty. Independence. Willingness to fight special interests for the good of the general public.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I don't quit - and I'll never be bullied into doing something that isn't right in my mind.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Being willing to do the right thing no matter the political consequence. Speak truth to power - and let the people decide if you should continue to speak for them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I helped people who didn't have a voice in government.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Challenger explosion - 11 years.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Director of Planning with US Congress. 5 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Road Less Traveled

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I prefer to keep it real, thank you.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Stupid question when we have so many important issues to address.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Being orphaned as a teen and having to do high school and college and start a career without the support of parents.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

We need to restore political balance in CA - it is one-party dominated and that is not healthy.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Affordability crisis that is causing people to flee the state!

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Sometimes - but real world experience is sorely needed vs. career politicians and staffers.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes - where you have common ground and can collaborate. It takes a team!

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Teddy Roosevelt - he spoke for the little guy, not the big corporations!

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Right now I'm focused on fixing our dysfunctional state legislature - and that will take me awhile.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

MANY - all have real personal impact for those sharing the stories. But latest was an elderly lady who just lost her homeowners insurance and is being forced to pay $8400 more a year. She's on fixed income and can't afford that - and is stressed about losing her home now.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Google Joan Rivers - the best. Too bad comics are attacked and cancelled in today's politically correct world.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

No - the emergency powers were abused in 2020-2022.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Voter ID.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers' Association - and over 10,000 individual supporters in this district!

What committees interest you?

Energy and Utilities - so we can reduce gas and utility bills on working families.

Insurance - so we can address the growing CA insurance crisis.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I've gained a national reputation for authoring and passing citizen initiatives on government transparency and accountability. I founded the Performance Institute in 1999 to reform government with efficiency practices. I currently serve as President of the Transparency Foundation which advocates for open government reforms.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

Require politicians to put honest ballot titles on measures rather than deceptive, confusing, and false ones.

Carl DeMaio did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Secure the Border Initiative

Congressional Candidate Carl DeMaio received the endorsement of leading border security advocates who cited their support for DeMaio’s 5-point Border Security Initiative.

Surrounded by Christopher Harris – retired Secretary, Local 1613 National Border Patrol Council, Roger Hedgecock – co-founder of “Hold their Feet to the Fire” Tour with Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), Rob Davis – Secure the Border SuperPAC, and Agnes Gibboney – Angel Mom, DeMaio revealed his five-point plan to secure the border and combat the growing crisis of illegal immigration.

DeMaio’s comprehensive plan includes:

Build the Wall – and Fully Staff It: An innovative way to fund the Border Wall and expanded staffing by directing all fees from visa applications and enforcement to the Border Patrol and bypassing Congress.

Close the Loopholes in the Laws: Reform immigration and asylum laws that tie the hands of our Border Patrol agents! Illegal immigrants are exploiting loopholes and abusing the system to gain entry.

Mandate & Enforce E-Verify: Combat illegal employment by forcing businesses to use E-Verify.

Cutoff Welfare and Repeal Sanctuary State Laws: Illegal immigrants should never receive taxpayer-funded benefits and no illegal immigrant criminal should be shielded from deportation.

End Chain Migration: Reform legal immigration by replacing chain-migration with a merit-based system of vetting and welcoming the best and brightest.

Read Carl’s Full Plan

“Powerful interests want open borders and amnesty for illegal immigrants no matter what the financial cost or security risk to our country,” said Carl DeMaio. “We cannot wait for Washington politicians to act; it is time that citizens rise up and force action to secure the border and combat illegal immigration.”

Fix Congress First Initiative

The Only Way to Drain the Swamp… Starts with Congress!

Carl DeMaio’s 10-Point Plan to Hold Congress Accountable for Living Under the Same Laws as the Rest of Us – No Special Exemptions!

Carl DeMaio is the author of the 10-point Fix Congress First Initiative that will fundamentally shake up Congress and break through the dysfunction and corruption in our political system.

First, DeMaio proposes to force Congress to live under the same laws as the rest of us — no special exemptions.

Second, DeMaio strips politicians of their lavish perks and pensions.

Third, DeMaio ends government shutdowns by imposing a strict No Budget, No Pay rule.

Fourth, DeMaio requires full transparency on all Congressional records.

Fifth, DeMaio imposes a Single Subject rule on all proposed legislation and extends the ban on earmarks.

Sixth, DeMaio proposes to send Congress home by requiring votes on legislation be conducted remotely during public Town Halls in their District.

Seventh, DeMaio proposes new campaign finance reform rules to curb special interest contributions and expands audits of campaign spending by politicians.

Eighth, DeMaio requires a Read the Bill First rule to force politicians to disclose what is in bills before they vote on them.

Ninth, DeMaio proposes elimination of the filibuster in the Senate.

Tenth, DeMaio proposes lobbying reforms and ends the revolving door in Washington by imposing a lifetime ban on Members of Congress being lobbyists.

Reform California

To Win Back Congress, We Must First Take Back California!

California represents more than one-fifth of our nation’s economy and population. If we want to address problems in our country, we must reform California. Moreover, if we want to take back the House Majority from the Left, we must make progress in California!

The Left takes its dominance in California for granted and holds 45 of the 53 Congressional seats. Take back some of those Congressional seats and the House Majority can be recaptured! That’s why all Americans should be helping the “Resistance” to take back California!

Carl DeMaio is organizing and leading the “Resistance” in California.

DeMaio has proposed a 7-point California Reform Agenda – and is recruiting grassroots activists to advance it statewide.

Stop the Tax Hikes

California has the highest taxes in the nation – and that has resulted in the highest cost-of-living. To fuel their out-of-control spending, Sacramento politicians are proposing even more tax hikes: gas tax, water tax, property tax, sales tax – it never ends.

Carl DeMaio is leading a broad-based statewide coalition to oppose the tax hikes on the 2020 ballot. In addition to opposing new tax hikes, DeMaio is fighting to rollback the unfair and unnecessary gas and car taxes that are having the biggest impact on working families.

Protect Citizens, Not Criminals

California politicians have promoted extreme measures that put the interest of criminals over the interests of law-abiding citizens – undermining the safety of our neighborhoods. Props 47 and Prop 57 have taken law enforcement’s tools away and resulted in early release of dangerous individuals from prison. The so-called Sanctuary State (SB54) and associated laws makes it a crime for local law enforcement, or a private business for that matter, to cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies to identify, detain, and process criminals.

Carl DeMaio supports the repeal of Props 47 and 57 – as well as SB54 Sanctuary State Law – before more Californians are hurt by these reckless policies.

Pension Reform

The single biggest driver of the financial crisis facing California state and local government are the unsustainable salaries and pension benefits they offer to government workers. The government pension crisis is not just a financial crisis, it is also unfair to increase the cost-of-living on working families just so funds can be diverted to make outrageous pension payouts for government workers.

Carl DeMaio proposes to reform government compensation plans so state and local government workers are paid no more, but also no less than the local labor market requires for those jobs to be done. In addition DeMaio proposes to switch to a simple 401k defined contribution retirement system for all new hires.

Cancel High Speed Rail: Fix Our Roads First!

After years of neglect, our infrastructure has fallen into disrepair. Politicians continually raid our road repair funds to cover their wasteful spending elsewhere in the budget. That’s why Carl DeMaio is proposing a Citizens’ Infrastructure Lockbox that would mandate that 100% of any gas tax collected would be spent on roads – no more diversions. Funds should also be regularly audited and overseen by independent citizen watchdog panels.

Carl DeMaio also proposes to cancel the wasteful boondoggle known as the High Speed Rail Project and put any remaining funds from this misguided project back into roads. Finally DeMaio will insist that any taxpayer-funded construction project be awarded using Fair and Open Competitive Bidding – no more backroom and discriminatory union-only deals such as Project Labor Agreements.

Address the Crisis of Homelessness

California’s homeless crisis has reached epidemic proportions – figuratively and literally. Homelessness is not an economic issue, it is a public health and social service issue as three-quarters of homeless individuals suffer from mental health and substance abuse problems. These individuals are homeless by choice.

With political cover from ACLU lawsuits, politicians have opted to coddle these troubled individuals and suspend enforcement of vagrancy, loitering, pan-handling, and other laws. Without these tools, law enforcement has no leverage to get people the help they need to change their lives.

Carl DeMaio will propose legislation requiring law enforcement be given the full right to enforce laws related to homelessness in exchange for any taxpayer-funding on these issues. In addition, DeMaio proposes a Community Service Mandate be imposed on any individual who receives public housing. Funding for homeless programs MUST be linked to accountability.

Safe and Successful Schools

Carl DeMaio is concerned that our schools are failing our children. The basics (reading, writing, and arithmetic) have been replaced by social agendas. That’s why Carl DeMaio believes all parents – not just the wealthy – should have an opportunity to make a real choice when it comes to their children’s education.

By expanding parental choice and charter schools, Carl DeMaio is encouraging competition to provide the highest quality education at all schools – public or private. Academic standards, testing systems and curriculum should be set by local educators with input from parents – without coercion from the state or federal government – to ensure those who know our children best are able to shape their education to excel in college and the workplace.

Election Integrity Reforms

California’s voter rolls are a complete mess – with ineligible, inactive and duplicate voter registrations. To restore integrity to our elections, Carl DeMaio proposes to clean up the voter rolls by conducting a comprehensive audit county-by-county. In addition, DeMaio proposes suspending California’s flawed motor-voter law immediately and replacing it with a Real Voter ID law.

In addition, DeMaio is concerned that state politicians have essentially stripped citizens of the right to use ballot initiatives and recall elections to hold politicians accountable – resulting in a loss of precious Constitutional rights. Carl DeMaio proposes to remove the ability of politicians to change the ballot title of Citizen Initiatives. In addition, DeMaio proposes to repeal recent laws that make it harder to recall politicians from office when they violate the trust of the constituents they serve.

Carl DeMaio is working with a team of election lawyers and reformers to effect these changes through litigation and legislative action.[12]

—Carl DeMaio's 2020 campaign website[13]

DeMaio's campaign website listed the following issues:[14]

Balancing the Budget: "Washington DC has a spending problem. How long have we heard this line from our politicians? Each election we hear politicians railing against excessive spending, but once in Washington, DC we see little action. Something has to change. We’re now more than $17 trillion in debt – and it is only getting worse."

Jobs and the Economy: "Carl DeMaio’s philosophy is simple: if you are willing to work hard, the American Dream should be yours. Unfortunately, the American Dream is out-of-reach for too many. People are working harder, but feel like they are falling further behind. Something has to change – and that something is Washington."

Education: "A quality education is the bedrock of life-long success. Carl DeMaio will be a champion of reforms to strengthen our K-12 education system and expand access to college so our children are prepared to compete in a 21st century economy."

Affordable Health Care: "Health care reform should be about making coverage more accessible and affordable, not more expensive and complicated. Health care works best when medical decisions are made by patients and their doctors – not government bureaucrats in Washington."

Social Security & Medicare: "We have an obligation to our seniors – Democrats and Republicans should come together to fulfill our commitment to our seniors by enacting common-sense reforms to save Social Security and Medicare."

[12]

—Carl DeMaio's campaign website, http://carldemaio.com/issues

In his candidacy for mayor, DeMaio frequently mentioned the "Three P" issues:

Pension

Potholes

Prosperity[15]