I have known Mike Fitts for a few years now, and had the luck of working with him on a campaign in 2004. I spoke with Mike about his career, and it was great to get the full story behind the person that many of us who have interfaced with either Runner knows is an A+ staffer.

Mike Fitts first became intereste d in politics as an 8 year-old boy arguing with his dad, Ray, the relative merits of President Reagan’s supply side economic theory. Well, not exactly, but the Old Gipper did inspire Mike to take a keen interest in politics.He grew up in Sacramento, and graduated from UC Davis with a major in economics and a minor in political science. As a senior at Davis, he began interning for Assemblywoman Sharon Runner a few mornings a week, where his primary tasks consisted of constituent letters and research projects.

He then applied for and was accepted to the Assembly Fellowship Program, where he continued to work for Assemblywoman Runner on a variety of legislative issues affecting the San Bernardino  and Antelope Valleys. In early 2005, Mike left the Funner Runner’s office, as it is affectionately known, to work as a legislative aide for her husband, George, in the state Senate. In that capacity, he has worked to assist Senator Runner on a range of issues concerning San Bernardino County. These include securing Design-Build authority for the City of Victorville and assisting High Desert communities in obtaining air permits for new power plants.

Mike has also assisted the Senator in working to authorize Public-Private Partnerships throughout the state, which could help expedite construction of the High Desert Corridor to connect the Victor and the Antelope Valleys.

He is currently transitioning to a new job as the Senate Republican Consultant on Environmental Quality issues, where he will continue to work for Senator Runner, the Caucus Chair, on the implementation of Californian’s new greenhouse gas law and other pressing environmental issues.

In his spare time, Mike tries to stay fit playing in basketball and softball leagues.