California Needs Leaders Who Serve the People, Not the System

It’s time for leadership that isn’t owned by party loyalty.

I’ve spent a lot of time learning how our political system actually works — not from headlines, but from the mechanics behind the scenes.

One uncomfortable truth is this: too often, leadership is treated like a turn-taking game.

If you’ve waited long enough, raised enough money, stayed loyal long enough, and worked the system long enough — eventually it’s “your turn.” Not necessarily because you’re the most capable, the most thoughtful, or the most effective leader — but because you earned your place in line.

The problem is not bad people.The problem is incentives.

When leadership is earned through loyalty to a system instead of service to the people, leaders inevitably owe something back — favors, appointments, influence, protection. Jobs get created that aren’t needed. Decisions get shaped by who must be kept happy. And efficiency, accountability, and common sense slowly give way to politics as usual.

This doesn’t benefit most Californians.It benefits those inside the political sphere of influence.

I believe California deserves leadership that does not owe anyone —not donors, not party insiders, not political allies —but only the people who elected them to do the job right, not the job politically.

That means:

• Hiring based on competence, not loyalty

• Solving problems instead of managing coalitions

• Simplifying systems instead of protecting bureaucracy

• Making decisions that serve the public interest — even when it’s uncomfortable.

This isn’t about left vs. right.It’s about solving the problems we all face on a daily basis.

Real leadership isn’t about waiting your turn.It’s about being willing to serve without being owned.

California doesn’t need better players of the political game. It needs leaders who refuse to play it at all.