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Michael Rubio talks politics and more

Gaining political power was never Michael Rubio’s intention.

“For me, it was about serving the people,” he said.

The 28-year-old began his term as Kern County 5th District Supervisor in January.

Born in Bakersfield, Rubio grew up in Lost Hills and Shafter.

The oldest of three children, Rubio attended Bakersfield College, then transferred to the University of New Haven in Connecticut where he earned his bachelor’s degree in criminology.

After serving a few months in Africa with the Peace Corps, Rubio returned to Shafter where he met Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, and found his way into the political arena.

Four years of service under Florez showed Rubio that elected officials can bring about change and help people.

He decided to run for supervisor to help the people in the community where he grew up.

What is it about Kern County that motivates him to help? Here’s what he had to say to Más:

Q: Why did you decide to go into politics?
A: “I don’t really think of it as politics but rather as serving the people, which comes from my volunteer days in college and high school. From adopting grandparents to being a Kern County sheriff’s explorer, it all made me want to continue that type of service in my professional life.”

Q: What is a typical day like for you?
A: “I wake up at 5 a.m. and run, cycle and swim. I get to the office around 7 a.m., and I am generally in meetings and events until 8 p.m.”

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish as a county supervisor?
A: “I want to be accessible, accountable and take action to meet the needs of the people who have given me this opportunity. I take this job very seriously. The people are my boss and the credo of this office is to put the people of Kern County first, period.”

Q: What do you do to relax and get away from politics?
A: “I run, cycle and read everything from classic literature to the Bible and Christian literature.”

Q: You recently got married, how is married life?
A: “It is great. I am the luckiest man on earth.”

Q: How did you meet your wife?
A: “I met her up north through some mutual friends. We started talking. She thought I was a good guy, and I chased her.”

Q: Besides running and cycling, what do you do for fun?
A: “I work. Work is what we do.”

Q: What do you think is the key to your success?
A: “Hard work and staying focused.”

Q: What is the biggest challenge you are working to conquer in the 5th District?
A: “We have a high rate of unemployment, many children without health insurance, and neighborhoods that needs curbs, gutters and stop signs. There are many issues we are working on. On the forefront is public safety. We have seen an increase in violent crimes and are working to make it easier for district citizens to report the activity.”

Q: Why is this community so important to you?
A: “This is where I was raised, and I want to have my family here. I want it to be the best. Bakersfield has potential, and we need more people to get involved.”

Q: Who is your role model?
A: “I have different role models. If you talk about focus, one of them is Abraham Lincoln, who worked hard throughout his life. If you talk about family, then it is my mom. She is a great woman.”

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: “Marrying Dora.”

Q: Who has influenced the way you view politics?
A: “They are all dead. They are people like Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But I think the single greatest influence was walking to the 15,872 homes in the 5th District.”