Michael Masuda moved to Amador County in 1999 at age 10 with his family after the passing of his grandfather. He grew up in a middle class household in the back roads of Amador County with his parents, two brothers, two cousins, their dog, Grandma Masuda right next door, and frequent visits from his older half-sister. He attended Sutter Creek Elementary, Ione Junior High, and Amador High School. High school basketball and baseball took him across the district to compete. During the summers in high school, Michael delivered ice cream for the Amador Creamery to stores throughout Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolumne Counties. In 2007, Michael left for Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to pursue an electrical engineering degree. It was during this time that he met his wife-to-be, Brittany. They spent the first 4 years of their relationship long distance, traveling hours on weekends to spend time together. On a sunny, warm afternoon two days after Christmas 2014, on the hills behind Amador City, Michael proposed to Brittany and in 2015, they were married.
In the following years, they moved to Washington, DC to start their careers. Michael worked as an engineer at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory where he developed his appreciation for the role that technology plays in keeping American soldiers safe and ensuring the U.S. military remains the most capable in the world. In 2021, he was selected for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowship and joined the Department of State as a civil servant under the Biden administration. It was there that he grew to understand the role of diplomacy in protecting the American people, creating opportunities for American companies, and preventing conflict around the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael and Brittany did what so many other couples did - they adopted a COVID pup, Luna, . . . and got to work having kids. They now have a 3 year old son and a 1 year old daughter who are the joy of their lives.
As an engineer, Michael has dedicated his life to solving problems. Rather than only addressing a problem’s symptoms, he tries to understand the cause in order to fix it. He will bring an engineering mentality to Congress - one that is not afraid to tackle the hard and politically uncomfortable problems. He will start addressing the big problems like reducing the threat of wildfires, increasing access to affordable healthcare, investing in education for kids and young adults that prepares them for meaningful careers, and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to find a job that pays a living wage.
Michael’s values are rooted in Amador County and the relationships he’s made over the years. He believes in the value of human life and all of the differences that it takes on. Growing up in small town Amador County, he learned the importance of serving your community and looking out for your neighbors. He grew up clearing fallen trees and burning brush every summer; digging trenches and hauling firewood; volunteering to serve at the church’s annual crab feed fundraiser; and walking around Sutter Creek with his friends after school. His parents instilled in him the importance of hard work and dedication throughout his youth, lessons that he carries forward to this day. Brittany has taught him the strength that comes with empathy, understanding, and humility. His kids have taught him the importance of patience under stress. Finally, his time in Washington, DC has given him a greater appreciation for the diversity that this country has to offer, and the realization that we have more in common than we might think.