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David Collenberg, California lieutenant governor candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

May 5, 2026

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: David Collenberg

Current job title: Farmer

Age: 44

Political party affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Fort Jones

Campaign website or social media: Collenberg26.com

Higher education — from increased enrollment opportunities to affordable student housing — is a priority for the lieutenant governor’s office. What do you see as the most pressing need in higher education in California? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The biggest issue in higher education right now is that it’s gotten too expensive and too disconnected from real life. We keep pushing students into college, but a lot of them walk out with debt and no clear path to a job.

College should lead somewhere. If someone is going to spend years of their life and take on debt, it needs to result in real opportunity. Right now, too many degrees don’t match what employers actually need.

We also need to stop acting like a four-year degree is the only option. Trade schools, community colleges and apprenticeship programs should be just as respected and easier to access. A lot of good-paying jobs in agriculture, construction, energy and skilled trades are being overlooked.

Cost is a huge problem, too. Between tuition, housing and basic living expenses, a lot of students are just trying to survive instead of focusing on school.

At the end of the day, higher education should be about preparing people for real careers and real life. It needs to be affordable, practical and honest about the outcomes students can expect.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis last year opposed the UC tuition increases. How would you advocate for balancing keeping tuition affordable for new students while also addressing funding gaps caused by federal reductions, budget cuts or other causes? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Cost is a huge problem, too. Between tuition, housing and basic living expenses, a lot of students are just trying to survive instead of focusing on school.

At the end of the day, higher education should be about preparing people for real careers and real life. It needs to be affordable, practical and honest about the outcomes students can expect.

The lieutenant governor has also made it a priority during her tenure to recognize campuses that excel in supporting Black students. Where are you seeing gaps in how California’s colleges support students, particularly those considered to be marginalized? How would you like to see that addressed? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The biggest gap I see is that we talk a lot about supporting students, but too many still struggle with the basics. If a student cannot afford housing, food or transportation, it does not matter what programs exist on paper. They are already behind.

Students from all backgrounds, especially those who are underserved, need practical support that helps them stay in school and finish. That means reliable housing options, access to food and clear pathways into jobs. Too often, students are left trying to figure everything out on their own.

We also need to be honest about outcomes. Support should not just mean enrollment; it should mean graduation and a real opportunity afterward. Schools should be measured on whether students are completing their programs and moving into stable careers.

Another gap is connection to the real world. Many students, especially those without family or financial support, need stronger mentorship and job placement opportunities. Internships, apprenticeships and partnerships with local industries make a real difference.

I believe the focus should be on equal access to opportunity, not just equal access to enrollment. That means making sure every student, no matter where they come from, has the support to succeed and a clear path forward.

At the end of the day, the goal is simple. Help students get through school, into a good job and into a stable life.

How, specifically, would you improve workforce development opportunities in California if elected? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

We need to reconnect education with real jobs. Right now, there is a gap between what people are being trained for and what employers actually need.

First, I would expand trade programs, apprenticeships and hands-on training across the state. Not everyone needs a four-year degree, and we should stop treating it like the only path. Good-paying careers in agriculture, construction, trucking, energy and skilled trades are there, but we are not building the pipeline.

Second, I would push for stronger partnerships between schools and local industries. Employers should be directly involved in training programs so students can move straight from education into a job. That includes internships, paid apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

Third, we need to simplify and speed up certification and licensing. Too many people are ready to work but get stuck in red tape. If someone has the skills, we should help them get to work faster.

Fourth, I would focus on rural and underserved areas. A lot of workforce programs are built around big cities, while smaller communities are left behind. We need to invest in regional training centers that reflect the jobs in those areas.

At the end of the day, workforce development should be about one thing. Helping people get real skills that lead to real paychecks and a stable life.

What do you see as the most pressing component of the job of California lieutenant governor? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

The most pressing part of the job is being a voice for the people who are not being heard, especially outside of Sacramento.

Too much of California is overlooked. Rural communities, farmers, small business owners and working families often feel like decisions are made without them in mind. The lieutenant governor should be out in those communities, listening, showing up and bringing those concerns back to the table.

The role also requires holding systems accountable. Whether it is higher education, land use or state boards and commissions, the lieutenant governor has influence and a platform. That position should be used to push for transparency, better outcomes and policies that actually work in the real world.

It is also about connecting the dots between policy and impact. A lot of decisions made at the state level sound good on paper but do not work on the ground. The lieutenant governor should be someone who understands that and speaks up when something is not working.

At the end of the day, the job is not just a title. It is an opportunity to represent the entire state, not just the areas with the loudest voices. That means showing up, telling the truth and making sure no part of California gets left behind.

What in your background has prepared you best, in your opinion, to take on this role? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

I come from the real world, not politics. I have worked in agriculture, trucking, construction and small business. I know what it means to put in long days, meet payroll, deal with regulations and try to keep something going when the odds are against you.

I currently run a farm, and I have seen firsthand how state policies impact people on the ground. Water access, regulations, fuel costs, labor and markets are not just talking points to me; they are things I deal with every day. I understand what it means when government decisions make it harder to survive.

I have also faced serious financial challenges, including fighting to keep my farm. That experience has given me a clear understanding of how systems work and where they fail working people. It has made me more determined to speak up for those who feel like they are getting pushed out.

On top of that, I am a father of six. That keeps me grounded in what really matters and what kind of future we are leaving behind.

What prepares me for this role is not a title or a political career. It is lived experience, problem-solving and the willingness to say what needs to be said. I understand the gap between policy and reality, and I am ready to represent the people who are living it every day.

How do you think taxpayers could better understand the work of this office? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

Most people do not understand what the lieutenant governor actually does, and that is part of the problem. The office needs to be more visible, more transparent and more connected to the public.

First, I would communicate regularly in plain language. Not press releases, but real updates people can understand about what decisions are being made and how they affect their daily lives. Short videos, town halls and direct communication go a long way.

Second, I would take the office out of Sacramento. Travel the state, especially to rural and underserved areas and show people what the role actually does. When people see you in their community, asking questions and listening, they start to understand the impact of the office.

Third, transparency matters. Meetings, votes and decisions tied to the role should be easy to access and understand. People should not have to dig through complicated reports to know what is going on.

Finally, I would focus on showing results. If people can see real outcomes, whether it is improvements in education, land use decisions or economic opportunities, they will better understand the value of the office.

At the end of the day, it comes down to trust. The more open, visible and honest the office is, the more taxpayers will understand what it does and why it matters.

What’s a hidden talent you have? (Please answer in 250 words or less.)

A hidden talent I have is problem-solving under pressure. When something breaks, goes wrong or does not pencil out, I do not panic; I figure it out.

Running a farm and working in trades teaches you that quickly. Equipment breaks in the middle of a job, weather changes plans overnight or something just is not working the way it should. You do not have the option to walk away. You have to think through it, adapt and fix it.

I am also good at seeing the practical side of things. I can take something complicated and break it down into what actually matters and what will actually work. That has helped me in business, on the farm and in dealing with real-world challenges.

Another thing people do not always see is that I am a good listener. I pay attention to what people are actually saying, not just what is on the surface. That helps me understand problems better and come up with real solutions.

It is not flashy, but it is something I rely on every day. Stay calm, think it through and get it done.

Orange County Register

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David Collenberg, California lieutenant governor candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

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