California is often celebrated as the fourth-largest economy in the world, but for many of us in the Bay and the Central Valley, that wealth feels non existent. We see the electric vehicles and the tech campuses, but we also see our neighbors being priced out, our families being separated by ICE, and our youth wondering if they have a future in the state they call home.

I sat down with someone who has spent his entire career trying to bridge that gap: Michael Tubbs.

Michael isn’t your typical politician. He’s the son of a teenage mother and an incarcerated father, a kid from Stockton who made it to Stanford and then went back home to lead a city that many had written off as “the most miserable in America.” As the former Mayor of Stockton and now a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Michael’s philosophy is simple but radical: Poverty is not a personal failure; it is a policy choice.

We met up in Palo Alto to get into the weeds of what leadership looks like when you actually care about the humanity of vulnerable people. We talked about:

* The Stockton Mentality: Why he decided to give residents a Guaranteed Income years before it became a national headline.

* The Lieutenant Governor’s Power: How this “overlooked” seat is actually the key to controlling state lands, UC/CSU tuition, and the fight against offshore drilling.

* The Immigrant Experience: Why 30% of Stockton being foreign-born meant he had to fight ICE and slumlords simultaneously to protect the “California Dream” for everyone.

* The Reality of Critics: A raw look at what happens when a proud Black man uses power to challenge the status quo, and why “government isn’t DoorDash” … real change takes time and guts.

This isn’t just a campaign stop. This is a conversation about the soul of California and whether we’re brave enough to choose a future where everyone has enough to thrive.

This full interview is currently in Early Access for our paid supporters.

Familia, my work as a Digital Advocate is made possible by those of you who invest in this platform. These candidates aren’t paying me to share their stories or their platform; I do this to bring the truth to our community.

I’ve made the first half of this interview available for everyone above so you can hear Michael’s thoughts on the “Stockton Mentality” and our debate on California’s best Mexican food. To honor my supporters, I’m giving the paid community the first look at the full, unedited conversation; including the deep dive into his plan for the Lieutenant Governor’s office, fighting ICE, and handling institutional critique.

The full post will unlock for everyone in 5 days. If you want to dive into the rest of the conversation right now and support the mission of keeping Sr. Barragan independent, consider upgrading your subscription today!

Of course, no pressure! Either way, I’m glad you’re here.

Part 1:

* 00:00 – Behind the Scenes: Getting the cameras and mics ready in Palo Alto.

* 01:33 – Introducing Michael Tubbs: Born and raised in Stockton, Stanford grad, and the journey to running for Lieutenant Governor.

* 03:35 – The Great Mexican Food Debate: Why Michael argues Stockton’s food scene is more authentic (and affordable) than the Bay Area.

* 05:12 – The Power of the “Overlooked” Seat: What the Lieutenant Governor actually does—from sitting on the UC/CSU boards to managing California’s state lands.

* 06:39 – Ending Poverty in California: Why Michael believes the highest poverty rate in the country is a California-made issue, not just a federal one.

* 07:19 – Executive Experience: Leading a city of 320,000 during the Trump administration and fighting for sanctuary city funding.

* 10:07 – The Data Dividend: Michael’s plan for Californians to own their data and benefit from the wealth generated by tech innovation.

* 11:44 – Standing with the Immigrant Community: Why 30% of Stockton being foreign-born made fighting for undocumented neighbors a top priority.

* 13:33 – Fighting for Basic Dignity: Going after slumlords and creating kitchen incubators for immigrant food entrepreneurs.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit senorbarragan.substack.com/subscribe