Founder's Club - Episode 38: A New Vision for California’s Future with Leo Zacky, Running for Governor of California 2026 - Hosted by Dez DeCosta
Episode Overview
Leo Zacky comes from a family with a long history in California's agriculture and business. He grew up around the family's poultry company, Zacky Farms, and gained firsthand experience in business operations and lobbying government. This experience, combined with his concerns about the state's decline and the 2020 election, motivated him to run for governor of California.
Leo discusses how increasing regulations, taxes, and costs in California made it difficult for his family's business to compete, ultimately leading to its closure. He cites issues like the ethanol mandate, minimum wage increases, and environmental regulations as major hindrances to businesses in the state.
To support businesses, Leo proposes lowering taxes, easing environmental regulations, and reforming utility and transportation policies that have driven up costs. He believes these changes will allow businesses to grow and create more jobs, ultimately benefiting the state's economy.
Leo identifies crime, the high cost of living, and poor governance as the key drivers behind people and businesses leaving California. He plans to tackle these issues head-on through common-sense solutions to make the state safe, affordable, and well-functioning again.
In the next decade, Leo envisions California becoming a thriving economic powerhouse, free of the current problems like drought, homelessness, and crime. He believes his leadership and solutions can restore California to its former glory as a desirable place to live, work, and do business.