FRESNO CA (MPG) - Republican Michael Maher has launched his campaign for the open California Senate District 12 seat. A vital hub of California’s economy and culture, this vast, multi-county Central Valley district mirrors the life of Michael Maher.

District 12 spans Kern, Tulare, and Fresno counties and is currently represented by California Senator Shannon Grove, who is prohibited from running again due to term limits in 2026. Her departure will mark the end of Republican U.S. military veteran representation in California’s State Senate. With California having the highest veteran population of any state in America, we need a commonsense Republican veteran representative who has faithfully served in our U.S. military.

“Veterans like J.D. Vance, Pete Hegseth, Mike Waltz, and many others from my generation—who wore the uniform post 9/11—are now leading this country into a New Golden Age. Meanwhile, California is collapsing under a leadership crisis driven by the cronyism of lifetime politicians and corrupt bureaucrats,” said Maher. “I want to restore our state’s gleaming gold standard, one that once filled people with optimism and inspired them to invest their family’s future here in California.”

Maher continued, “California’s current state of affairs is dysfunction. In Sacramento, Gavin Newsom is more focused on spending $50 million to fight the Trump administration than on bringing a New Golden Age to California. Sacramento has created this chaos, rewarding criminals instead of protecting the law-abiding citizens. For five consecutive years, California has led the nation in people packing up and leaving. Why? Because lifetime politicians with no accountability or real-world experience are suffocating the working class with the highest taxes in the nation.”

“With the abundance of California’s natural resources, we should be an energy exporter. Take gas prices—California drivers are paying over two dollars more per gallon than those in Texas. That’s not just coincidence; it’s failed policy. While politicians like Gavin Newsom enrich themselves, our families are left to struggle. I’m running to change that. I’m running to fight for the families, farmers, and small business owners of the Central Valley. We need bold leadership unafraid to challenge the status quo, and I intend to deliver just that,” said Maher.

Meet Michael Maher

Michael Maher’s life is a testament to grit, service, and leadership—deeply rooted in the 12th Senate District. A proud son of the Central Valley, Maher spent his early years in Kern County, where his father was called to Pastor Calvary Chapel of Bakersfield. He later grew up in Tulare County, graduating from Tulare Union High School in 2001. Over 15 years ago, he married into a Valley farming family, and today, he lives in Fresno County with his wife and two sons.

Maher’s service to his country began shortly after the attacks of 9/11. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy, he served as part of the expeditionary forces aboard a fast-attack nuclear submarine deployed out of San Diego. Education includes the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School, Fresno Pacific University, Naval Nuclear Power School, Oxford University, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows program, and graduation from the FBI Academy at Quantico.

Professionally, Maher’s career is as diverse as it is impactful. From industrial construction and law enforcement to international aviation, and energy, he has received numerous awards and recognition for his work in both government and the private sector. He is a member of numerous military service organizations, policy and security councils, and is an active contributor to the Naval War College Foundation, The Pacific Council on International Policy, the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, and the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation.

Michael Maher isn’t just running for Senate—he’s running to restore faith in California’s future. With roots firmly planted in the Central Valley and a proven track record of leadership, he’s ready to fight for the values and priorities that matter to the people of the 12th Senate District.

For more information about Michael Maher’s campaign, visit maherforsenate.com.