Derek Grasty
Democrat | California
Candidate Profile
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Derek Grasty
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, B.M., -1982
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Masters Degree, -1984
Harvard University, Cambridge, Certificate, -1994
California State Univ., Hayward (EB), Hayward, Administrative Credentials, -1994
WORK & MILITARY
NA
AFFILIATIONS
Santa Clara County School Board Association, Legislative Action Committee, 2022-2026
California Association of AASA (CAAASA), Member, -2026
Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet, Member, -2026
SV@HOME, Member, -2026
University of Michigan Alumni Association, Life Member, -2026
Bella Madeira HOA and Mutual Water Co., President, 2006-2026
District 8 Community Round Table of San José, Member, 2010-2026
100 Black Men of Silicon Valley, Inc., Past Board of Director, VP, & Treasurer, 2012-2026
La Raza Community Round Table de California, Member, 2014-2026
APISBA (Asian Pacific Islander School Board Asso.), Member, 2024-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Governing Board Member, Mt. Pleasant Elementary School Board, 2020-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Governor of California, 2026-2032
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Current endorsements for Governor are pending.
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In the first trimester, not later. Abortion should be a late resort. Additionally, abortion should be allowed in cases of rape, incest, or the life of the mother is in the balance.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Neutral
Human life deserves legal protection in the womb beyond the first trimester until natural death.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Disagree
I believe the question refers to synthetic embryos. Synthetic embryos created through artificial methods are for research purposes and cannot develop into a living fetus.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Disagree
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
All people should have a living wage. The minimum wage may vary depending on which state in the U.S. they reside.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Neutral
There should be private property. However, there should also be public lands and spaces such as public beaches, parks, waterways, and our National Parks, to be enjoyed by all.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1) Hold people accountable with fines, recall elections, and/or jail time; 2) Too much money is spend on studies. Spend a fair and reasonable amount of time and money on studies; 3) Make sure we have a record and "paper trail" of how money is being distributed, how it is being spent, and quarterly reports of measurable outcomes of the spending. 4) Provide transparency to the public; 5) Get at least three (3) independent estimates of total costs prior to beginning a project or endeavor.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
No single religion taught during school instructional time. However, religion activities can happen at schools during recess, lunch or after school. Public funds should not be used to teach religion or benefit private schools. Holidays can be a time to celebrate customs in schools, if you acknowledge the multiple religious or custom beliefs of the community. I have done this by acknowledging Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Ramadan, etc... (FYI-I graduated from a Catholic H.S.)
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
Not sure of the question. Moral beliefs is a broad statement. Businesses that serve the public should provide service to their customers, as long as it is not illegal or forbidden by federal or state law and adheres to the Constitution.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Californians pay a lot of money in taxes. I chose letter "A" as my answer. I believe in healthcare for All.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
I believe in the HIPAA laws.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Yes. I agree, leaning to strongly agree.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Israel is considered an ally of the United States. However, we should not be dragged into wars.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Agree
Sanctuary cities do not protect undocumented persons when there is a federal warrant signed by a judge. However, I support sanctuary cities.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Disagree
I am a life long educator and school board trustee. California already has a State Board of Education, a State Superintendent of Public Instruction (although a position with no real power or funding) and school districts have a Board of Education that sets policy and provides governance. California adopts its own textbooks, and teachers have academic freedom. We already have much local control. The U.S. Department of Education provides a different and much needed function.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
Strongly agree.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Agree
I agree in large part. However, this is already done. Parents and voters elect school board members. Parents also have school of choice. Health impacts everyone and we should have basic healthcare and illness prevention that benefits the common good.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Neutral
I believe this question depends a lot on the age of the child, and if the child consents and mature enough to consent.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
This statement requires more than one answer. Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union. I agree and believe this 100%. I am happily married for forty-one (41) years. Marriage can also be between two consenting adults.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Neutral
It depends.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and read the Bible daily.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
I believe a person should have the option to vote by mail, if already registered as a legal, authorized voter.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Agree
Reparations should be given to people who have been discriminated against unlawfully, by their government. For example, Holocaust survivors have received and continue to receive billions of dollars in reparations from Germany.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Neutral
It depends. Men should not be in women spaces. However, there can be optional gender neutral spaces, such as restrooms. All people have a right to be where they identify, and feel safe.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Agree
We are seeing and experiencing climate change with the melting of the artic cap. We must adjust, and believe the science.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
We need to view our energy needs like a mutual fund. We need: wind, solar, gas, electric, geothermal, and explore safe nuclear energy to meet our growing energy needs. This will keep costs down and provide sustainability.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Liberal
I prefer the term, progressive. We must respect our Constitution and believe all people are created equal with peace, justice, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for All the people.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The goal of the criminal justice system should be to protect the public, rehabilitate offenders, and diminish recidivism. Also, it costs the taxpayers less to educate people, than to lock them up. Our society should strive to create more taxpayers and responsible citizens, than have a tax burden on th public via incarceration. By having more taxpayers, we can lower everyones taxes.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
There should be government regulations to protect children from exploitation. Parents also have a role in this matter.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
All women should have choice and the freedom to choose in the United States.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We need background checks for criminal activity and mental health. No magazines over 10 count, unless restricted only to gun ranges. A person must be at least 21 years of age to own a gun. Have background checks at gun shows for public safety. * If 18 to 20 y.o. can be given a gun in the army, why not own a gun privately? However, there is the risk to the public of gang ties and violence in high school. Most young people live at home or in college. No urgency to own a handgun. Hunting, maybe.
