In a recent interview with California Insider, California gubernatorial candidate Ian Calderon discussed why he believes the state is at a turning point and why a new generation of leadership is needed to tackle affordability, housing, and the effectiveness of state government.

Calderon framed his candidacy around the idea that California cannot keep getting different results while relying on the same ideas and the same leadership. He argued that younger leaders bring a different perspective shaped by technology, economic change, and lived experience in a state that has become increasingly unaffordable for working families.

A lost pathway to homeownership

When asked about the most pressing issues facing Californians, Calderon pointed first to the loss of a clear pathway to homeownership, followed by the rising cost of living and the need for more effective and accountable government.

He highlighted how dramatically housing costs have outpaced wages, noting that homeownership is now out of reach for many working and middle-class families. Calderon also emphasized the impact of corporate and foreign investment in California’s housing market, arguing that it has made it even harder for first-time buyers to compete and build long-term stability.

A Homes for Working Families approach

Calderon outlined an approach focused on restoring opportunity for Californians who live and work in the state. He stressed the importance of helping renters save, supporting first-time buyers, protecting single-family neighborhoods while keeping multiple housing options available, and ensuring that California families are not pushed aside by speculative investment.

He also tied housing affordability to broader challenges like homelessness, poverty, and generational wealth, arguing that rebuilding access to homeownership is essential to restoring the California Dream.

Making government work better

Beyond housing, Calderon discussed the role of government efficiency in driving up costs across the state. Drawing on his experience as a former legislator and small business advocate, he argued that unnecessary and duplicative regulations increase expenses for families, businesses, and taxpayers, and that California needs a more practical, results-driven approach to governance.

A generational case for change

Throughout the conversation, Calderon returned to a central theme: California needs leadership willing to rethink old systems and focus on outcomes that matter to working families. He connected his policy priorities to personal experience and made the case that restoring affordability requires both bold ideas and the willingness to challenge the status quo.

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