John W. Zaruka

Republican | California

Candidate Profile

Leans Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

Name

John W. Zaruka


Party

Republican


Election Year

2026


Election

Primary


Race

Member, State Board of Equalization, 2


Incumbent

No


Links

John W. Zaruka websites

EDUCATION

Cornell University, Ithaca, BS, 1969-1973

WORK & MILITARY

Winegardner & Hammons & other hotels, Regional Manager, 1973-1985

Wedgewood Wedding & Events (ZGolf F&B), Founder/Owner, 1986-2025

Sterling Hills Golf Club, Owner, 2018-2026

AFFILIATIONS

California Restaurant Assocition, Director (emeritus), 1990-2026

Rotary Club of West Ventura County, 2time President, 1986-2026

FooodShare Ventura County, Director & Donator, 1991-2026

Family Enterprise USA, Sponsor - Advisor, 2023-2026

California State University Channel Islands, Advisor - Business School, 2025-2026

Boys & Girls Club, Event Manager - Donator, 1995-2026

Ventura Botanical Gardens, Advisor - Donatoer, 2017-2026

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

none

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

State Board of Equalization District 2, 2026-2026

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (2)

Tom McClintock

Tony Strickland

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)

Tony Strickland

Jeff Gorrell

Under construction -

Kelly Long

(Tent)West Ventura County Business Alliance

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Matthew 'Matt' Jacobs (2022)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)

OTHER INFORMATION

John Zaruka completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Agree

As a steward of state funds I would advocate for no government funding.

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Not a function of this office ..

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Agree

Not a function of this office

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Neutral

Not a function of this office

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Neutral

Not a function of this office


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

Excessive minimum wages just reduce job availability and creates inflation. California is at the maximum. As a small and medium sized business owner we see the inflationary effects, and it only incentivizes us to reduce services and use technology

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

We need to protect Prop 13 for individuals and businesses.

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

In the scope of the position I am seeking: Consider closing this office or the California Tax & Fee Department or the SBOE. consolidation not duplication. Contract with "fraud and waste" investigators and act on their findings. Reduce staffing within the department by technology, management and consolidation.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

In relation to taxing authority - Religious facilities should keep special status.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Disagree

Not relevant to this position


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.

C- unfortunately we are stack with Medicare and Medicaid but if I had a magic wand I would set up a system where the individual is responsible for their own health care. A system where the government can help through vouchers for health care thus reducing the dependance on insurance. Just high-deductible plans should be offered. Foster competition and transparency in the health care space.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Choose not to answer

Not relevant to this position.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

Not relevant to this position.

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Our national security but not rally relevant to this position.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree

The more undocumented persons there are, the more services required. This is burden on the taxpayers. In addition, more "under the table work" results in less tax revenue realized by the state.


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Agree

Property tax revenue is collected by the state. Funds sent back to the state would result in reducing the need for more local taxes.

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Neutral

Often Students from foreign countries contribute to our country and also help reduce the cost of education for citizen students, especially in times of enrollment declines.


VALUES

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Strongly Agree

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Agree

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

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Strongly Agree

This would reduce the reliance on property tax revenue.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I have a record in business of high ethical standards and live by the Rotary 4 way test.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

Very important that only citizens vote


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree

I believe we have overcome most racial and ethnic barriers to success. It is more of an economic challenge. We need a more robust private economy in California to deliver better opportunity for all.

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.

Strongly Agree

I come from a family of PE teachers and coaches, male and female. I cannot imagine me racing swimming against my sister. She's better than me but I would beat her because I am bigger!


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Strongly Disagree

Urgent - No, but good stewardship yes.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

All - especially oil and gas. From a taxation point of view, we need the gas tax to offset the demand for property taxes.


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?

Lean Conservative

I believe in low taxation, smaller government, fewer regulations, and a strong commitment to capitalism. I lean a bit libertarian on the social issues, which have little bearing on the position I seek.

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?

To put criminals in jail and then offer rehabilitation.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Neutral

Primarily it is the parent's responsibility. Government can have a role.

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Not really relevant to this position but very minimal. We have a 2nd amendment for a reason. Cannons and machine guns maybe?

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