I wasn’t sure what to expect when I brought Michael Maxsenti back to the Nerds for Humanity livestream. Last time he was on the show, he was trying to get the Common Sense Party off the ground. A few years later, not only is he still in the fight, but he’s taken it to a new level: running for Congress.
What followed was a 90-minute conversation that took me from cautiously curious to unexpectedly moved. In Maxsenti, you hear a voice that is at once disillusioned and hopeful, patriotic and critical, conservative in values but radical in his diagnosis of what’s broken in Washington. And most interesting of all? He’s running as a Republican—not because he agrees with Trumpism, but because he wants to infiltrate the system with a rebel conscience.
As someone who leans center-left, who has been skeptical of the GOP's current direction, and who is deeply worried about the future of democracy, I found myself both inspired and uneasy.
Here’s what I learned, what stood out, and why Maxsenti’s campaign might be more important than it first appears.
1. The Most Evenly Split District in America
Maxsenti is running in California's 47th Congressional District, a place he describes as "probably the most evenly divided district in the country."
"There are about 540,000 registered voters, and only 3,000 votes separate Democrats and Republicans."
That gives him a unique platform to speak to a true microcosm of America. It’s not deep red, not deep blue—it’s a test tube for whether post-partisan, reform-oriented politics can actually win.
And that’s part of what makes this campaign worth watching.
2. The Case for Citizens Assemblies
One of Maxsenti’s most compelling ideas was something that rarely gets airtime: citizens assemblies.
"I'm tired of people saying they want your voice, but then giving nothing more than lip service. Citizens assemblies would be a way to truly engage the people in shaping laws."
He described a process where average citizens are selected demographically and at random to deliberate over key legislation, hear from experts, and issue binding recommendations to lawmakers. Think jury duty, but for lawmaking.
It’s working in places like Ireland, Petaluma (yes, here in California), and 124 countries around the world.
For anyone who believes Congress is too beholden to special interests, this is a breath of fresh air. It’s the kind of structural reform that transcends party politics.
And yet, it’s barely discussed in American campaigns.
3. A Republican by Necessity, Not Identity
Maxsenti’s decision to run as a Republican wasn’t made lightly. He left the party decades ago, disgusted by what he called its embrace of “racists and bigots” in the 90s. But he rejoined, reluctantly, after mentors and allies convinced him that it was the only viable way to get elected.
"My decision to rejoin the Republican Party wasn't about joining Trumpism. It was about creating a beachhead for populist reform from the inside."
He described a personal transformation—from a former CEO who lost everything in pursuit of political reform, to someone who drove Uber for years just to stay in the fight.
Is it performative? I didn’t get that sense.
This is a man who literally carries around a 1993 Republican Party pamphlet, detailing beliefs like equal rights, responsible spending, and broad-minded policy. The kind of values Eisenhower Republicans would nod to. He wants to reclaim that tradition—not to replicate the past, but to re-anchor in principle.
But here’s the tension: can a populist reformer thrive in a party that increasingly seems allergic to policy, addicted to grievance, and organized around one man?
4. A Disruptor with Sobering Blind Spots
While I admired much of Maxsenti’s platform, some of his positions gave me pause.
He expressed admiration for RFK Jr. and frustration with the "uniparty," including both Democrats and establishment Republicans. He defended Trump’s disruptive style—arguing that it's strategic bluster designed to force negotiation.
"We’re at the demolition stage of our country. Trump is like a contractor tearing down drywall. It’s ugly, but maybe necessary."
That metaphor may resonate for those who see the system as irreparably corrupt. But for those of us who worry about creeping authoritarianism, selective law enforcement, and attacks on democratic norms, it sounds like rationalization.
When I pressed him on specific Trump-era policies—like border deportations that ignored court rulings, or tariffs that raised prices on consumers while missing strategic targets—he acknowledged problems but often pivoted to broader critiques of systemic decay.
In other words, the diagnosis was sharp, but the prescriptions sometimes felt vague or misaligned with reality.
5. The Promise of a Fulcrum Caucus
One of Maxsenti’s boldest visions is the idea of an independent congressional caucus.
"We don’t need 50 seats. We just need 5 people in the House who are independent of party leadership. That creates a fulcrum. No one can pass anything without us."
He’s working with others across the political spectrum—including Yang, Tulsi, Williamson, and others—to build this coalition.
Imagine if neither party could pass legislation without the support of a centrist, reform-minded, integrity-tested group. The implications for legislation, oversight, and compromise are enormous.
But it depends on winning. And on discipline. And on resisting the seduction of partisan perks and media attention once in office.
6. A Platform That Deserves Air
Maxsenti’s website outlines eight priorities, but the ones he highlighted most were:
Citizens assemblies
Balanced budget amendment
Ending insider trading for members of Congress
Zero-based budgeting
Healthcare reform focused on chronic disease prevention (the "MAHA" agenda)
None of these are MAGA talking points. None of these are even front-burner issues for mainstream Republicans or Democrats.
And that’s exactly why they matter.
7. A Campaign Built on Sacrifice
Maxsenti’s personal story stuck with me. He sacrificed financial security to pursue reform. He went from a well-off businessman in Laguna Beach to driving Uber and renting in Irvine. He kept showing up at events. He helped others run for office. He stayed in the arena.
"My wife and I got a small inheritance. Instead of saving it, we decided to invest it in this campaign. We believe this is our calling."
It’s hard not to respect that. And in a political era dominated by opportunism and careerism, it’s refreshing to hear from someone who sees public service as a capstone, not a launchpad.
Final Thoughts: Should the Center-Left Root for Maxsenti?
If you believe in democracy, institutional reform, and ethical leadership, it’s hard not to root for someone like Michael Maxsenti.
But it’s also hard to ignore the risks.
Running as a Republican in 2025 carries baggage. You inherit a brand that has become synonymous with Trump, election denial, culture war dog whistles, and a disdain for democratic guardrails. Even if you don’t believe those things, you may be expected to vote with them.
That’s the tightrope Maxsenti is walking.
But here’s the thing: the only way to fix our politics is to get reformers into office. Whether they wear a blue, red, or purple jersey is secondary.
If Maxsenti stays true to his message, speaks uncomfortable truths, and helps form that independent fulcrum, he might just be one of the few candidates worth rooting for from either side of the aisle.
If you found this interview valuable, consider supporting my Nerds for Humanity livestream and Substack. Become a YouTube channel member to help cover production costs and get a shout-out on every stream.
And as always...
Bye nerds.
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