Micheál O'Leary

Micheál O'Leary studied agricultural sciences as the University College of Dublin. O'Leary's career experience includes working as a small business owner. His organizational affiliations include the Eagle Rock Athletic Club.[1] O'Leary previously served as a member of the Culver City City Council from 2006 to 2016, the vice mayor of Culver City from 2010 to 2011, and the mayor of Culver City from 2011 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2016.[2]

Micheál O'Leary has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

If you are Micheál O'Leary, 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.

Help improve [the profile publisher] - send us candidate contact info.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1) I will bring an end to this era of fiscal mismanagement at the state level. Tax dollars will be accounted for! I will bring a new transparency & accountability to this office, from making my calendar public to clearly documenting work.

2) I will be a strong advocate for business and property owners across the district, making tax obligations as pain-free as possible.

3) I will give constituents an easy-to-navigate path to my office, on & off-line, with responsive and responsible customer service along the way.[4][5]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

As a small business owner myself for almost 20 years, I know the role that government can play in supporting or hindering the success of commercial endeavors and the entrepreneurs in our state. I'm passionate about government transparency and efficiency, clearing away red tape, and making government supportive, accountable, and a partner in economic success across all sectors for the growth and sustainability of California.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[5]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Micheál O'Leary answered the following:

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

I admire the writings of Alexander Hamilton a great deal. I even use one of his quotes on my campaign business cards: "Purpose of Government is to erect all practicable obstacles to corruption!"[5]

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

I recommend listening to my podcast, created for my campaign, in which I interview other candidates, electeds, advocates, and business owners about their perspectives and experiences working with local and state government. www.oleary4boe.com/podcast/[5]

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

Integrity is a priority. Elected officials are entrusted to make decisions for the future of society and the public must know that they're in trustworthy hands. Additionally, an elected must be willing to understand all sides of an issue. The ability to listen, to process, to weigh outcomes, all become critical components to the job.[5]

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

I have been a successful officeholder! I helped lead Culver City through the recession and proved to be a capable steward of public monies. I never assumed I had the answers and would always seek to hear opposing opinions on any issue.[5]

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

Transparency, accountability, and the willingness to actively engage constituents are the elements that I see missing from this office today, and I plan to fix that.[5]

What legacy would you like to leave?

When the era of fiscal mismanagement is a thing of the past, I'll know I played a role in steering the ship straight.[5]

[the profile publisher] biographical submission form

The candidate completed [the profile publisher]'s biographical information submission form:

What is your political philosophy?

Public service has been the privilege of my life, and my honor as a proud, American citizen, having immigrated from Ireland. I became a business owner, a homeowner, and an involved member of my local community. Having served in an elected capacity for two terms in my local city council, I became even further inspired to continue my work in the public sector, influencing regional decisions and statewide issues that affect all of us.

When elected to the Board of Equalization:

I will bring an end to this era of fiscal mismanagement at the state level. Tax dollars will be accounted for! I will bring a new kind of transparency & accountability to this office, from making my calendar public to clearly documenting work.

I will be a strong advocate for business and property owners across the district, making tax obligations as pain-free as possible.

I will give constituents an easy-to-navigate path to my office, on & off-line, with responsive and responsible customer service along the way.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I helped lead the City of Culver City through the 2008 Recession, developing a reputation for being financially prudent with the City Budget, while managing to protect public sector jobs as well. I owned small businesses in the restaurant industry for almost two decades in both LA and Ventura Counties, and in public service always sought to make government a friend, not an adversary, to the business community.

Over 8 years and two terms in office in Culver City, I reliably supported environmental measures, even serving as the Board Chair for the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. I'm not one to sit idly by and not have a seat at the table, so I very intentionally participated in various regional discussions, including critical public transit infrastructure conversations.

Always vocal about what would be "the RIGHT thing to do" and never willing to let integrity take a back seat, I advocate for transparency in government, civil public discourse, and broader civic engagement efforts.[5]

—Micheál O'Leary[1]