Leonard Jackson

Leonard Jackson

No party preference

Candidate, Governor of California

Elections and appointments

Next election

June 2, 2026

Education

High school

Riverwood High School

Graduate

Pepperdine University, 2022

Personal

Birthplace

Los Angeles, CA

Religion

Non-Denominational

Profession

CEO

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal X

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Leonard Jackson (No party preference) is running for election for Governor of California. He declared candidacy for the primary scheduled on June 2, 2026.

Jackson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Leonard Jackson was born in Los Angeles, California. He earned a high school diploma from Riverwood High School and a graduate degree from Pepperdine University in 2022. His career experience includes working as a CEO and actor. Jackson has been affiliated with SAG-AFTRA.

Elections

2026

See also: California gubernatorial election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Governor of California

The following candidates are running in the primary for Governor of California on June 2, 2026.

		Candidate
		Akinyemi Agbede (D)
		Mohammad Arif (D)
	Submit photo	Larry D. Azevedo (D)
		Xavier Becerra (D)
	Submit photo	Carolina Buhler (D)
		Ian Charles Calderon (D)
	Submit photo	Louis De Barraicua (D)
	Submit photo	Sophia Edum-a-Sam (D)
		Derek Grasty (D)
	Submit photo	Joel Jacob (D)
	Submit photo	Gary Kidgell (D)
	Submit photo	Matthew Levy (D)
		Matt Mahan (D)
	Submit photo	Thunder Parley (D)
		Katie Porter (D)
		Raji Rab (D)
	Submit photo	Satish Rao (D)
	Submit photo	Barack Shaw (D)
	Submit photo	Scott Shields (D)
		George Slivka (D)
		Thomas Steyer (D)
		Eric Swalwell (D)
		Tony Thurmond (D)
		Antonio Villaraigosa (D)
		Betty Yee (D)
		Michael Younger (D)
	Submit photo	Erin Zezulak (D)
		Ché Ahn (R)
	Submit photo	James Athans Jr. (R)
		Chad Bianco (R)
	Submit photo	Patricia De Luca Basualdo (R)
	Submit photo	Randeep Dhillon (R)
		Sharifah Hardie (R)
	Submit photo	Rafael Hernandez (R)
		Steve Hilton (R)
		Brandon Jones (R)
	Submit photo	Alicia Lapp (R)
	Submit photo	Leo Naranjo IV (R)
	Submit photo	Tim Nelson (R)
		Jon Slavet (R)
	Submit photo	Gretha Solórzano (R)
	Submit photo	Ebony Taylor (R)
		Leo Zacky (R)
	Submit photo	David Zickefoose (R)
		Butch Ware (G)
		Nicholas Thompson (L)
	Submit photo	Tom Woodard (L)
		Jesse Alberti (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Naomi Bar-Lev (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Joseph Cabrera (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Elaine Culotti (No party preference)
	Submit photo	LivingForGod DeMott (No party preference)
		Serge Fiankan (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Lukasz Filinski (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Tony Fitzpatrick (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Max Fomin (No party preference)
		Don Grundmann (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Jon Henderson (No party preference)
		Lewis Herms (No party preference)
		Leonard Jackson (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Dawit Kellel (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Anne Komarovsk (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Duane Loynes Jr. (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Amanda Martin (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Brent Maupin (No party preference)
		Daniel Mercuri (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Mauro Orozco (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Reza Safarnejad (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Sam Sandak (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Christine Sarmiento (No party preference)
		Frederic Schultz (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Margaret Trowe (No party preference)
	Submit photo	Nancy Young (No party preference)
		Ramsey Robinson (Peace and Freedom Party)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ethan Agarwal (D)
• Toni Atkins (D)
• Eleni Kounalakis (D)
• Kyle Langford (R)
• Javen Allen (No party preference)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Leonard Jackson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jackson's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Leonard Jackson is a successful business leader, community volunteer, and potential candidate exploring a run for Governor in California. With a track record of turning challenges into opportunities, Leonard is an out-of-the-box thinker who is not influenced by big donors or special interest groups. He believes in getting things done and leaving the world better than he found it. As a common-sense leader, Leonard focuses on results rather than ideology, prioritizing practical solutions that benefit all Californians. He understands that while this is politics, there is still a job to do for the people. Finally, a candidate who actually focuses on the people they serve rather than the special interests and political parties.

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?

• Leonard built a multimillion-dollar company from the ground up, showing he knows how to lead with results, not empty promises. His Executive MBA from Pepperdine backs his sharp, practical thinking.
• As an Independent candidate, Leonard isn’t tied to party politics or big donors. He puts people over party, focusing on solutions that work for all Californians—whether it’s fixing schools or tackling homelessness.
• Leonard’s 25 years of marriage and raising four kids show his dedication. He’s faced California’s broken system—like when his child was denied testing due to race—and he’s committed to fixing it for everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

mental health, homelessness, crime and safety, cost of living

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

I look up to Michael Jordan because of his amazing mind control. He is the greatest of all time due to his mind more so than his athletic ability in my opinion.

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

they can go to my website. www.lj4ca.com

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

1. Someone with Executive leadership.

2. Someone who's familiar with the entertainment industry as well as
business in general

3. Someone who understands family issues

4. Someone who leads by focusing on the issues and not ideology

5. Someone who knows how to get things done

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

30 years executive experience (3 Branches of Govt)

Built a multimillion-dollar company from the ground up — I know how to lead
efficiently

Working actor for over 30 years

Married 25 years, raised 4 amazing kids — including one who was denied
critical testing simply because of race (Current CA law)

I understand the real-life impact of a broken system — and I’m here to fix it

I’ve faced the same struggles many Californians have — and I’m here to
serve, not to play politics

Not bought by big donors or special interests

Executive MBA from Pepperdine

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

Same as an executive of any organization. Balance budgets, put the right people in the right position, hold people accountable. Make progress in areas important to the people they serve and ultimately, make peoples lives better by making everyone follow a vision of leaving this place better than we found it.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I significantly left this place better than I found it and encourage a generation of people to do the same.

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

Ronald Regan election of 1980.

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

Sold stationary for the "Olympic Sales Club" when I was 7 or 8 years old.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Rich Dad Poor Dad is my favorite book because it gave me great insight on how things work in this world and confirmed some thoughts that I already had regarding business, rules of commerce and what it takes to be successful in life and business.

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

Superman

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

LOL. Smooth Criminal? I don't know. This is a constant for me. LOL

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

Struggle is another work for growth and opportunity for me. I have that mindset with anything that comes my way.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

Mental health and homelessness. We can not continue to be so inhumane. These are human beings and they are being treated worse than animals. If we help them as we should, they could be contributors to the betterment of California and others.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

Listen to everyone and provide oversight to make sure the vision that the people voted for and expect is reflected in the budget.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

Listen to other government officials as well as the public and provide oversight to make sure the vision that the people voted for and expect is reflected in the budget. Eliminate items in the budget that do not align with the vision and expectations.

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

They should make sure they are fulfilling the states constitutional responsibilities and most importantly doing the people's business.

What do you love most about your state?

What's not to love. The weather, mountains, beaches, Hollywood, diversity of people and thought. It's the most amazing place on the planet!

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

Mental health, affordability and opportunity.

Tell us your favorite joke.

What did the bartender say to the horse? What such the long face. LOL

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

When it comes to the safety and security of the people.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Mandy Oconnor- Dirctor of Bridget to Home

Flex Alexander (Actor)
Luke Davis (Staff for Mike Garcia, US Congressman)
Denver Dowridge (Actor)
Brady Granier (CEO)
Jules Ratcliff (Ran Tom Brady and Ronald Regan's campaigns)
Brande Roderick (Actress)
Cale Boyter (Movie producer)
Damian Shannon (Screen Writer)
Mark Swift (Screen Writer)
Jamal Hill (Olympic Swimmer)

Craig Duswalt (Public Speaker)

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe in 100 percent transparency. The people pay taxes and expect their money to be spent on things they have voted for. They have every right to see everything that's going on.

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

The main one that stands out to me is the "California Independence Referendum (Initiative 24-0001A2)". Without having more information and a formal debate, I do not think it's a good idea. I think California being a part of the USA is best for Californians as well as the country for many reasons such as a uniform highway system, currency, drivers licensees, military defenses, and many more.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean to you?

Same as an executive of any organization. Balance budgets, put the right people in the right position, hold people accountable. Make progress in areas important to the people they serve and ultimately, make peoples lives better by making everyone follow a vision of leaving this place better than we found it.

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.

Campaign finance summary

Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.

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Governor of California

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