Michael Masuda

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Michael Masuda completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Masuda's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading-bio-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI grew up in a small town of 200 people in Amador County in a middle class household. I am the son of two Air Force veterans, the grandson of German and Polish American farmers in Northern Wisconsin, and the grandson of Japanese Americans from the Bay Area who were forcibly relocated and interned during World War II. My wife and I have been married for 10 years and have two toddlers. I was raised on very simple values - look out for your neighbor, treat people with respect, work hard, be humble, and remember where you came from. I carry these values with me to this day, and try to pass those values on to my children.\r\n<p>I have spent my career supporting my community and my country. As an engineer, I designed new tools for the military to help keep our troops and our country safe. Most recently, I worked at the State Department using my science and engineering background to improve our foreign policy and national security. I was also president of a neighborhood nonprofit that maintains a local dog park and is a fixture of the neighborhood where my wife and I lived in Washington, DC.\r\n</p>\nRunning for Congress was not part of my plan, but I have been called back to my home district to represent the people and communities that raised me. Our country is divided, and we are facing many challenges that are hurting all of us. It’s time for a representative who will put people over politics and get to work on our biggest challenges.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading-key-message-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease 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?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I am an engineer, not a politician. I am focused on addressing our shared challenges and building a future for everyone to prosper. The people of the California 5th Congressional District deserve a representative who will show up, listen, treat us with respect, and work toward effective solutions in Washington, DC. I am running for Congress to represent the diverse voices that span valley, foothill, mountain, and desert communities across CA5.</li><li>The issues we face today don’t care if you’re a Republican, Democrat, third-party, or Independent voter. We are all American’s, and we need to start working together again. Unfortunately, many of our elected leaders would rather divide us instead of addressing the biggest issues we face today. To get our country back on track, we need leaders willing to bring people together and work toward effective solutions.</li><li>If you are sick of divisive politics, feel like your party has abandoned your issues or your values, don’t think your vote doesn’t matter, or are tired that your Congressman is never around to hear your concerns, come talk to me. I don’t care who you voted for last election, I am running for Congress to represent everyone in CA5.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading1-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am focused on addressing the challenges that households across CA-5 face every day and bringing federal resources to support local solutions. These include protecting communities from wildfires, protecting healthcare access, addressing the affordability crisis, and encouraging local job growth, investment, and small business. <br/><br/>\r\nI will also address the corruption in our federal government and elections. I will support legislation that sets term limits, bans stock trading in Congress, reforms campaign finance and transparency laws, and strongly enforced conflict of interest laws for all branches of government. We need to restore trust in the federal government, and that starts with holding Members of Congress accountable.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading2-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWe need elected officials who prioritize the American people instead of billionaires or their own political future, and who fight against the corrupt influences in Washington, DC. The American people do not trust our elected leaders in Congress. The system has been broken by leaders who are serving themselves, their political party, and their large donors. If we want to fix this country, we need to elect leaders who serve with integrity, put people over party, and reject the corrupting influences of big money.<br/><br/>\r\nI am running to put an end to the toxic partisanship and big money influences that have taken over our politics. I am not taking corporate PAC donations. I am focused on solving problems, building bridges, and mending the division we see in our families, communities, and country. My generation has been raised on corrupt, divisive politics, but I will be part of a generation of leaders to renew trust in Congress and American democracy.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading3-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe communities of CA5 need a Congressperson who will actually show up, work to understand the issues, and talk with people regardless of their political affiliation. We have big challenges that span rural and suburban communities across the valley, foothills, mountains, and high desert across 12 counties. This level of geographic, economic, and community diversity requires understanding what is happening at the local level and working with local organizations, companies, and elected officials to find solutions that work locally. <br/><br/>\r\nAs a Congressman, I intend to work with anyone who is willing to work with me. Partisan politics serve politicians in Washington, DC, but it doesn’t do anything for our communities in CA5. I am running to address the many challenges we face, serve the people of CA5, and help put the United States on a better path.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading4-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would like to be part of a Congressional class that ushers in a renewal of our democracy and shows the American people that Congress can actually work for us if we elect leaders who put us first. I have grown up in an environment where politicians are untrustworthy, corrupt, self-serving, and power hungry. I hope to leave behind a more united America that rallies around our common challenges, works through our disagreements, respects our differences, and builds a better future for all Americans.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading5-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI was 5 days short of my 13th birthday when the World Trade Centers were attacked. Living in California, it was early in the morning when the first tower was struck. I remember being woken up early by my mom who told us what had happened, and that this was a historic moment that she wanted my brothers and me to see. We thought it was just a tragic mistake. It wasn't until the second plane struck and reports about the Pentagon attack and the plane crash in Pennsylvania that we understood that it was deliberate. Until that point, I didn't have an understanding of how big the world was or how horrible it could be.<br/><br/>\n<p>I remember walking into my first class of the day. My teacher was talking with us about what happened and answering our questions. A student asked if we were going to war. My teacher told us, \"it was a terrorist attack, and we can't go to war against terrorists.\" I think what she meant was that terrorists were not a country, so how would we go to war against them? <br/><br/>\n</p>\nThe United States ended military operations and withdrew from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, about two and a half weeks shy of my 33rd birthday. I have spent nearly my entire adolescent and adult life with the United States at war.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading6-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy first job was at the Amador Creamery delivering ice cream and dairy products to businesses across Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolumne Counties during the summers during high school and early college. Our days started at 4am and ended around noon. The best part was the free ice cream!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading7-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNo. We need representatives from many different backgrounds choosing to step into roles of immense responsibility. If everyone is coming from a background in government or politics, then we are not getting the diversity of thought and knowledge that we need in Congress. The democratic process allows voters to judge if a candidate’s qualifications and knowledge are enough to do the job.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading8-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCongress should move to establish term limits for all members of the House and Senate. “Politician” should not be a career, it should be a public service. Too many people sit in Congress for far too long. As a result, the same ideas are circulated, leadership does not change, lobbyists entrenched themselves with the same politicians, and incumbents have little incentive to get things done quickly.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading9-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am encouraged by the growing number of new Representatives and candidates who want to see changes in both parties and to how we do politics. More people are looking at our government and saying there is too much money influencing politics and too much division. If more of us can get into office and find ways to work together despite our differing political ideologies, I believe we can address the issues that we have in common and build a stronger future together.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading10-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth sitting representatives 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?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tEarly in my campaign I met a woman who is a home healthcare provider. She has a handful of clients that she visits in their home throughout each week. She is very concerned that changes to Medi-Cal that Congressional Republicans and President Trump have voted and signed will cause her to lose her job. She has been homeless in the past, and currently lives paycheck to paycheck. If her clients lose access to Medi-Cal, then she loses her job and her home. <br/><br/>\n<p>Congressional Republicans claim they are just trying to cut costs. Unfortunately, these brutish tactics don’t take into account how policies ripple through a community. A lost job does not just mean someone starts job hunting. It could mean losing your home, worsening mental health issues, triggering addiction relapse, making people vulnerable to crime, and worsening the homeless crisis. Unless Representatives are out in the community listening to people and hearing their stories, they may not appreciate the full impacts of laws that are passed. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nAnother woman told me that President Trump’s tariffs could significantly increase the cost of a medication for her son, which is only made in Europe. Tariffs are rapidly changing, and it’s unclear how things will end or when President Trump will suddenly change his mind again. These decisions have real impacts on people and businesses, but our leaders only seem concerned about recklessly cutting government spending while making billionaires richer.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading11-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tSome types of compromises are essential to a well functioning government. No one has all the answers, and we need many different people seated at the table to identify the best path forward. Compromise leads to better outcomes when done with honesty, good intentions, and a common goal in mind. America needs less focus on ideological conformity and partisan dogma and more focus on common-sense, evidence based policies and collaboration that is in the best interest of the American people.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading12-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe U.S. House has moved away from its obligation to ensure that our laws, regulations, and federal programs are doing what they are supposed to do. At a time when we are running trillion dollar annual deficits, we need the House to use its investigative powers to examine the effectiveness of the laws it passes and the money it spends. Ineffective laws and programs should be revised, replaced, or removed to ensure taxpayer money is used wisely. Only by looking at these outcomes will Congress be able to start addressing the many challenges our country faces.<br/><br/>\r\nThe House is also a constitutional check against abuse of power and crimes committed by the President. In this current administration, we have seen examples of corruption and dangerous incompetence that should have immediately triggered an investigation. President Trump and his family members using their own cryptocurrency to enrich themselves and selling access to the White House, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accidentally leaking classified battle plans to a journalist in a Signal group chat, immigration agents violating constitutional rights of immigrants, lawful residents, and U.S. citizens, the withholding of the Epstein Files, and much more. The House must re-assert its constitutional authority over the Executive Branch and hold it accountable.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading13-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCalifornia Democratic Party<br/>\n<p>California Federation of Labor Unions<br/>\r\nCalifornia Young Democrats<br/>\r\nNorth Valley Labor Federation<br/>\r\nCalifornia High School Democrats<br/>\r\nFresno State College Democrats<br/>\r\nIndivisible Amador<br/>\r\nIndivisible Calaveras<br/>\r\nMadera County Indivisible<br/>\r\nModesto Progress Democrats<br/>\r\nProgressive Mariposa / Yosemite Area Indivisible<br/>\r\nJaron Brandon, Tuolumne County Supervisor<br/>\r\nAnn Segerstrom, Mayor of Sonora<br/>\r\nChris Ricci, Modesto City Council<br/>\r\nEric Alvarez, Modesto City Council<br/>\n</p>\nKeith Sweet, Former Jackson Mayor\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-354060-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading14-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-354060-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-354060-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-354060-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe greatest challenges we face are the influence of big money in government and income inequality. Conflicts of interest and corruption are prevalent in Washington, D.C., with all branches of government failing to address these issues. This includes politicians trading stocks, Supreme Court Justices concealing gifts, and corporate and special interests controlling our campaigns because of the disastrous Citizens United ruling. Trust in government is at an all-time low due to lobbyists, favors, and unlimited campaign contributions. To restore trust, we need to replace long-serving officials, ban stock trading in Congress, implement new divestment requirements, establish clear ethics rules and stronger enforcement, end the revolving door between Congress and lobbying, end partisan gerrymandering, implement term limits, and reform campaign finance laws.<br/><br/>\r\nSimultaneously, we must address income inequality, which is funneling wealth to corporations and the very rich. Wages are not keeping up with rising costs for Americans, and the wealthy are hoarding more wealth with each year. This leads to increased debt, longer working hours, greater reliance on social safety programs, less money spent at local small businesses, and gradually worsening hardships for working and retired Americans. We need drastic changes to make life more affordable, including tackling rising costs in healthcare, housing, childcare, elder care, and groceries.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> 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.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nMichael Masuda completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Masuda's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I grew up in a small town of 200 people in Amador County in a middle class household. I am the son of two Air Force veterans, the grandson of German and Polish American farmers in Northern Wisconsin, and the grandson of Japanese Americans from the Bay Area who were forcibly relocated and interned during World War II. My wife and I have been married for 10 years and have two toddlers. I was raised on very simple values - look out for your neighbor, treat people with respect, work hard, be humble, and remember where you came from. I carry these values with me to this day, and try to pass those values on to my children. I have spent my career supporting my community and my country. As an engineer, I designed new tools for the military to help keep our troops and our country safe. Most recently, I worked at the State Department using my science and engineering background to improve our foreign policy and national security. I was also president of a neighborhood nonprofit that maintains a local dog park and is a fixture of the neighborhood where my wife and I lived in Washington, DC. Running for Congress was not part of my plan, but I have been called back to my home district to represent the people and communities that raised me. Our country is divided, and we are facing many challenges that are hurting all of us. It’s time for a representative who will put people over politics and get to work on our biggest challenges. 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? I am an engineer, not a politician. I am focused on addressing our shared challenges and building a future for everyone to prosper. The people of the California 5th Congressional District deserve a representative who will show up, listen, treat us with respect, and work toward effective solutions in Washington, DC. I am running for Congress to represent the diverse voices that span valley, foothill, mountain, and desert communities across CA5. The issues we face today don’t care if you’re a Republican, Democrat, third-party, or Independent voter. We are all American’s, and we need to start working together again. Unfortunately, many of our elected leaders would rather divide us instead of addressing the biggest issues we face today. To get our country back on track, we need leaders willing to bring people together and work toward effective solutions. If you are sick of divisive politics, feel like your party has abandoned your issues or your values, don’t think your vote doesn’t matter, or are tired that your Congressman is never around to hear your concerns, come talk to me. I don’t care who you voted for last election, I am running for Congress to represent everyone in CA5. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am focused on addressing the challenges that households across CA-5 face every day and bringing federal resources to support local solutions. These include protecting communities from wildfires, protecting healthcare access, addressing the affordability crisis, and encouraging local job growth, investment, and small business. I will also address the corruption in our federal government and elections. I will support legislation that sets term limits, bans stock trading in Congress, reforms campaign finance and transparency laws, and strongly enforced conflict of interest laws for all branches of government. We need to restore trust in the federal government, and that starts with holding Members of Congress accountable. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? We need elected officials who prioritize the American people instead of billionaires or their own political future, and who fight against the corrupt influences in Washington, DC. The American people do not trust our elected leaders in Congress. The system has been broken by leaders who are serving themselves, their political party, and their large donors. If we want to fix this country, we need to elect leaders who serve with integrity, put people over party, and reject the corrupting influences of big money. I am running to put an end to the toxic partisanship and big money influences that have taken over our politics. I am not taking corporate PAC donations. I am focused on solving problems, building bridges, and mending the division we see in our families, communities, and country. My generation has been raised on corrupt, divisive politics, but I will be part of a generation of leaders to renew trust in Congress and American democracy. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The communities of CA5 need a Congressperson who will actually show up, work to understand the issues, and talk with people regardless of their political affiliation. We have big challenges that span rural and suburban communities across the valley, foothills, mountains, and high desert across 12 counties. This level of geographic, economic, and community diversity requires understanding what is happening at the local level and working with local organizations, companies, and elected officials to find solutions that work locally. As a Congressman, I intend to work with anyone who is willing to work with me. Partisan politics serve politicians in Washington, DC, but it doesn’t do anything for our communities in CA5. I am running to address the many challenges we face, serve the people of CA5, and help put the United States on a better path. What legacy would you like to leave? I would like to be part of a Congressional class that ushers in a renewal of our democracy and shows the American people that Congress can actually work for us if we elect leaders who put us first. I have grown up in an environment where politicians are untrustworthy, corrupt, self-serving, and power hungry. I hope to leave behind a more united America that rallies around our common challenges, works through our disagreements, respects our differences, and builds a better future for all Americans. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I was 5 days short of my 13th birthday when the World Trade Centers were attacked. Living in California, it was early in the morning when the first tower was struck. I remember being woken up early by my mom who told us what had happened, and that this was a historic moment that she wanted my brothers and me to see. We thought it was just a tragic mistake. It wasn't until the second plane struck and reports about the Pentagon attack and the plane crash in Pennsylvania that we understood that it was deliberate. Until that point, I didn't have an understanding of how big the world was or how horrible it could be. I remember walking into my first class of the day. My teacher was talking with us about what happened and answering our questions. A student asked if we were going to war. My teacher told us, \"it was a terrorist attack, and we can't go to war against terrorists.\" I think what she meant was that terrorists were not a country, so how would we go to war against them? The United States ended military operations and withdrew from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, about two and a half weeks shy of my 33rd birthday. I have spent nearly my entire adolescent and adult life with the United States at war. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My first job was at the Amador Creamery delivering ice cream and dairy products to businesses across Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolumne Counties during the summers during high school and early college. Our days started at 4am and ended around noon. The best part was the free ice cream! Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? No. We need representatives from many different backgrounds choosing to step into roles of immense responsibility. If everyone is coming from a background in government or politics, then we are not getting the diversity of thought and knowledge that we need in Congress. The democratic process allows voters to judge if a candidate’s qualifications and knowledge are enough to do the job. What are your thoughts on term limits? Congress should move to establish term limits for all members of the House and Senate. “Politician” should not be a career, it should be a public service. Too many people sit in Congress for far too long. As a result, the same ideas are circulated, leadership does not change, lobbyists entrenched themselves with the same politicians, and incumbents have little incentive to get things done quickly. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? I am encouraged by the growing number of new Representatives and candidates who want to see changes in both parties and to how we do politics. More people are looking at our government and saying there is too much money influencing politics and too much division. If more of us can get into office and find ways to work together despite our differing political ideologies, I believe we can address the issues that we have in common and build a stronger future together. Both sitting representatives 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? Early in my campaign I met a woman who is a home healthcare provider. She has a handful of clients that she visits in their home throughout each week. She is very concerned that changes to Medi-Cal that Congressional Republicans and President Trump have voted and signed will cause her to lose her job. She has been homeless in the past, and currently lives paycheck to paycheck. If her clients lose access to Medi-Cal, then she loses her job and her home. Congressional Republicans claim they are just trying to cut costs. Unfortunately, these brutish tactics don’t take into account how policies ripple through a community. A lost job does not just mean someone starts job hunting. It could mean losing your home, worsening mental health issues, triggering addiction relapse, making people vulnerable to crime, and worsening the homeless crisis. Unless Representatives are out in the community listening to people and hearing their stories, they may not appreciate the full impacts of laws that are passed. Another woman told me that President Trump’s tariffs could significantly increase the cost of a medication for her son, which is only made in Europe. Tariffs are rapidly changing, and it’s unclear how things will end or when President Trump will suddenly change his mind again. These decisions have real impacts on people and businesses, but our leaders only seem concerned about recklessly cutting government spending while making billionaires richer. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Some types of compromises are essential to a well functioning government. No one has all the answers, and we need many different people seated at the table to identify the best path forward. Compromise leads to better outcomes when done with honesty, good intentions, and a common goal in mind. America needs less focus on ideological conformity and partisan dogma and more focus on common-sense, evidence based policies and collaboration that is in the best interest of the American people. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? The U.S. House has moved away from its obligation to ensure that our laws, regulations, and federal programs are doing what they are supposed to do. At a time when we are running trillion dollar annual deficits, we need the House to use its investigative powers to examine the effectiveness of the laws it passes and the money it spends. Ineffective laws and programs should be revised, replaced, or removed to ensure taxpayer money is used wisely. Only by looking at these outcomes will Congress be able to start addressing the many challenges our country faces. The House is also a constitutional check against abuse of power and crimes committed by the President. In this current administration, we have seen examples of corruption and dangerous incompetence that should have immediately triggered an investigation. President Trump and his family members using their own cryptocurrency to enrich themselves and selling access to the White House, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth accidentally leaking classified battle plans to a journalist in a Signal group chat, immigration agents violating constitutional rights of immigrants, lawful residents, and U.S. citizens, the withholding of the Epstein Files, and much more. The House must re-assert its constitutional authority over the Executive Branch and hold it accountable. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? California Democratic Party California Federation of Labor Unions California Young Democrats North Valley Labor Federation California High School Democrats Fresno State College Democrats Indivisible Amador Indivisible Calaveras Madera County Indivisible Modesto Progress Democrats Progressive Mariposa / Yosemite Area Indivisible Jaron Brandon, Tuolumne County Supervisor Ann Segerstrom, Mayor of Sonora Chris Ricci, Modesto City Council Eric Alvarez, Modesto City Council Keith Sweet, Former Jackson Mayor What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? The greatest challenges we face are the influence of big money in government and income inequality. Conflicts of interest and corruption are prevalent in Washington, D.C., with all branches of government failing to address these issues. This includes politicians trading stocks, Supreme Court Justices concealing gifts, and corporate and special interests controlling our campaigns because of the disastrous Citizens United ruling. Trust in government is at an all-time low due to lobbyists, favors, and unlimited campaign contributions. To restore trust, we need to replace long-serving officials, ban stock trading in Congress, implement new divestment requirements, establish clear ethics rules and stronger enforcement, end the revolving door between Congress and lobbying, end partisan gerrymandering, implement term limits, and reform campaign finance laws. Simultaneously, we must address income inequality, which is funneling wealth to corporations and the very rich. Wages are not keeping up with rising costs for Americans, and the wealthy are hoarding more wealth with each year. This leads to increased debt, longer working hours, greater reliance on social safety programs, less money spent at local small businesses, and gradually worsening hardships for working and retired Americans. We need drastic changes to make life more affordable, including tackling rising costs in healthcare, housing, childcare, elder care, and groceries.\nNote: 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."}]