Baron Bruno
Baron Bruno (independent) ran for election to the California State Senate to represent District 26. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Bruno completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Bruno was a 2016 Libertarian candidate for District 62 of the California State Assembly.
Elections
2018
- See also: California State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for California State Senate District 26
Incumbent Ben Allen defeated Baron Bruno in the general election for California State Senate District 26 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ben Allen (D) | 77.2 | 298,609 |
 | Baron Bruno (Independent)  | 22.8 | 87,974 | |
| Total votes: 386,583 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for California State Senate District 26
Incumbent Ben Allen and Baron Bruno defeated Mark Matthew Herd in the primary for California State Senate District 26 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ben Allen (D) | 76.8 | 144,283 |
| ✔ | | Baron Bruno (Independent) | 12.3 | 23,119 |
 | Mark Matthew Herd (L) | 10.9 | 20,534 | |
| Total votes: 187,936 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[1]
Incumbent Autumn Burke defeated Marco Leal and Baron Bruno in the California State Assembly District 62 general election.[2][3]
| California State Assembly, District 62 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Autumn Burke Incumbent |
77.17% | 123,699 | |
| Republican | Marco Leal | 17.24% | 27,628 | |
| Libertarian | Baron Bruno | 5.59% | 8,958 | |
| Total Votes | 160,285 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Autumn Burke ran unopposed in the California State Assembly District 62 Blanket primary.[4][5]
| California State Assembly, District 62 Blanket Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Autumn Burke Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Baron Bruno (L) and Marco Leal (R) ran as write-in candidates. Bruno and Leal each received 32 votes in the blanket primary, earning them both a spot on the general election ballot.
See also
- State legislative elections, 2018
- California State Senate elections, 2018
- California State Senate
- California State Assembly
- California State Assembly District 62
- California State Assembly elections, 2016
- California State Legislature
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Baron Bruno completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bruno's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. End fraud, waste & abuse -- end "guaranteed pensions" and hold elected officials accountable with way more transparency. 2. End "top two" laws, so there are more choices each time we vote, and make CA's electoral college proportional instead of "winner take all". 3. Lower govt over-regulation, over-taxation & limit union strangehold on legislation initiatives.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Education: we need more competition & accountability. LAUSD is pathetic. Teacher Unions shouldn't have more voice and power than our STUDENTS!
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to Nelson Mandela, Bobby Kennedy, Gandhi, and other people who challenged the system, even when people doubted and discouraged them. They were catalysts of positive sustainable changes for their communities and countries. California and America are long overdue for leaders based on HOPE and not politically charged, fear-based divisive rhetoric and legislation. We need someone (like me!) who will BRING US TOGETHER!
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
"Oh, The Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
RESPECT, ACCOUNTABILITY, HONESTY, CHOICE, EMPATHY, COMPASSION, & CONVICTION
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To serve and protect their constituents, not putting other people ahead of others, obeying the very laws they create, not holding themselves in a higher socio-economic pedestal, not forcing people to do things they don't want to do, getting along with others, respecting others who have differing opinions, not instilling hatred or violence, working hard all the time, getting out and meeting the voters face to face.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to be a forerunner for uniting the people of California and this country, when we were at one of our most fragile, fractured, and divisive times, when animosity, dishonesty and disrespect were rising. I'd like to be someone who is finally able to get people to break their age old (bad) habits of just voting for a Democrat or Republican....but instead they focus on the PERSON running for office and how he or she will BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER with love and respect, and put THEIR PRIORITIES OVER the priorities of lobbyists, large corporations, big donors, unions, and special interests. I'd like to be remembered as someone who sincerely believed, and got others to believe, that we, as Californians and Americans, should put power back in the hands of the PEOPLE and make choices based on what the PEOPLE want, and NOT outdated political parties and toxic political platforms.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
My grandfather dying (I wrote about it in my Kindergarten journal).
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
It's been so long, I can't remember. But I've been working hard all my life. I remember having to rake seaweed of the beach, paint the steps down to the beach, and work as a handyman in my parents' Laguna Beach community while all the other young people were on the beach having fun and relaxing.
What happened on your most awkward date?
Geez, there were probably many of these awkward dates. The first ones (being picked up and dropped off by my mom and/or dad) were always humiliating. Having a car sure made things a lot more "mature".
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
New Year's Day. It gives everyone a fresh start, and it's a holiday celebrated by people all over the world, of various sexes, races, religions, socio-economic status, and location. It's a universal uplifting and exciting time to assess how far you've come (individually AND collectively), set goals for the next year, and eagerly anticipate the fun adventures and experiences for the upcoming year.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Various. I'm always educating myself as best I can. I have an insatiable thirst for internal and external exploration.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
James Bond would be pretty sweet. "Bruno........Baron Bruno" Sounds pretty cool, right?! : )
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My fiancee. Bren is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. Love is a powerful and inspiring thing. I hope everyone in the world feels and shares love.....it would make the world a much better place don't you think?
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
James Baskett's classic "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Making everyone happy. I do my best to accommodate and hear everyone's side of the story and work very hard at work and at home to find collaborative solutions. I suppose being a middle child helped in my early development of helping bring people together. Our family saying was (and still is) "Bruno's stick together".
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Not sure the differences here in CA since both the Assembly (80 members) and the Senate (40 members) are super-majority controlled by Democrats. It's scary to me when only one (or even 2) political parties dictate policy, legislation, rules and regulations. We deserve better.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I think having political experience certainly helps, but I think we can all agree that NO ONE wants or prefers "career politicians". The best way our govt can function is when leaders from the private sector come into govt with their fresh ideas, determination, and creativity. Then they go back to their former jobs/careers. Having too many career politicians has destroyed true democracy and freedom and voice of the people.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
California is spending WAY too much money on salaries, guaranteed pensions, stipends, salaries, and other tangible and intangible benefits to elected officials (and their powerful friends and donors). If this cycle can't be broken or stopped, Democracy will have failed and we will suffer financial ruin. This bloated system of govt can't continue to run on the backs of the smaller-and-smaller number of middle class folks who are barely struggling as it is. People working for the govt ("public servants") should NOT be making way more money ---and have better healthcare and other benefits -- than we do in the private sector.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The governor should continue to be the veto (check and balance) of the state legislature. The problem in California is that the Governor and BOTH houses of the State Legislature are all Democrats, so we only have one (1) party controlling EVERYTHING in state govt. This is VERY dangerous in my opinion, and will not end well, unless we have better checks-and-balances, as well as better ballot access, tighter term limits, balanced budgets, and more political parties.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. Just like we do around the kitchen table and our office conference room tables....we talk, discuss, find solutions, listen to one another, agree to disagree, and eventually come up with compromises for the benefit off everyone involved. Govt, can and should, do the same thing.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Something that is honest and NOT politically motivated or controlled.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Education, Technology, Environmental.....and probably others. I would need to know the entire list of options and where I can add the most value.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I would like to encourage and inspire other INDEPENDENT (No Party Preference) candidates to run for office, not just in California....but across the United States. The days of our two-party control (duopoly) should end. That is NOT democracy, liberty, freedom.....it is fear-based, winner-take-all, divisive control. Californians and Americans deserve better! We MUST end two party control!
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
No. I model myself and my decisions based on what the voters want. I am trying to reverse the lens of today's politician. It shouldn't be about what the politician (and his big donors) wants.....the focus should be about what the PEOPLE want. And as their elected official, I will execute the plan, strategy and finances it takes to get the job that the PEOPLE want done!
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
Yes, I will continue my political path and my interest in breaking up our toxic "coke and pepsi" political system. I will empower and encourage other INDEPENDENTS to run for office. We need leaders, especially young people, who are moderate (as most Americans and Californians are) to run for office as "financially responsible and socially accepting" civic and professional leaders who can be elected (and trusted) with political power to help their schools, communities and state.
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?
I have been inspired by the wonderful people of Venice Beach who are fighting SO hard against an ill-advised and forced government "temporary bridge housing" for homeless. The Mayor and Citycouncilman are jamming this down their throats without any of their input (Venice is the ONLY residential site out of 29 other WAY MORE VIABLE options), while putting their kids and the residents of Venice at risk. I stand with them, and am impressed with their organization & optimism. Save Venice Beach: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveVeniceBeach/ I stand with YOU too, because I am impressed with your commitment in reading my answers to learn more about me, and how I will best represent YOU and YOUR INTERESTS! All the best, Baron
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed April 18, 2017
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for the November 8, 2016, General Election," accessed September 7, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Statement of Vote," accessed August 22, 2016
