Rising Stars: Michael Dyar, office of Assemblymember Damon Connolly

Michael Gonzales Dyar got his passion for politics from his grandfather, who helped Cesar Chavez with the United Farm Workers union.

His grandfather started out as a migrant farm worker before opening up a small supermarket in Delano, a town in the Central Valley. He helped people register to vote, met with local leaders and organized meetings. “Everybody knew my grandpa in my hometown,” Dyar said.

His activism inspired Dyar, now 28, to study political science at California Polytechnic University. “I said, ‘Grandpa, if you could do all that with a high school education, imagine what I could do with a political science degree?’”

Now Dyar, 28 is legislative director for Assemblymember Damon Connolly, D-San Rafael, where his duties include crafting legislative packages, overseeing co-author requests and training new staff.

Aaron Vad, Connolly’s chief of staff, said Dyar is a vital resource and partner in the state legislature. “Michael continues to possess the tenacity and dedication to public service that is so desperately needed in government,” he said in an email. “…If the Legislature was fully staffed with Michael Dyars, I am confident that we would be able to solve all of California’s problems.”

Dyar began as an intern with Assemblymember Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield,  in January 2019. By July of that year, he moved up to legislative aide and by May 2022, he was legislative director.

“I said, ‘Grandpa, if you could do all that with a high school education, imagine what I could do with a political science degree?’”

Dyar said he had no particular plan to get involved in Sacramento and initially lived with his cousin in Elk Grove, working odd jobs until he landed an internship. It took some time of sending out emails and making “awkward phone calls” to find the best opportunities. “If you are motivated, you can move up,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any one way to get in here.”

Dyar was born and raised in Delano and went to the same high school his grandfather did. Both sets of grandparents have been in the community a long time and both of his parents are teachers. His mother taught 1^st and 5^th grade and is a reading coach, while his father was a physical education teacher at a middle school and a 2006 California Teacher of the Year. His father now oversees the after-school program for the elementary school district.

“I was a very good kid growing up because everybody knew me and my parents,” Dyar said.

Dyar said his biggest career accomplishment so far was serving as the only legislative staff member on the team last year. He oversaw 10 bills sent to the governor, of which nine were signed. “Knowing I could do it and be successful gave me confidence,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t know until you’re thrown into the fire if you’re going to succeed or not. I learn by diving in head first and asking for help a long the way.”

He said he enjoys “the nitty gritty details of budget,” learning about the history of the legislature and the fights over bills in the past. He also loves mentoring new people. “I was surrounded by people who wanted to help me succeed,” he said. “I want to keep paying that forward.”

He encourages his staff to ask for a hand when they need it. “There’s always help there if you need it,” he said. “It’s tough job that takes a team to do.”

At the same time, he doesn’t downplay the challenges of his job. “It’s stressful, the hours are long and you have to interact with so many people, not all of them nice,” he said. “You are putting yourself out there a lot.”

Fortunately, he has strong personal support to help him face challenges. He recently got engaged to his fiancée who he met in college. The couple loves traveling everywhere from San Diego to Hawaii and hope to visit international destinations soon. “We’re excited to get married,” he said. The pair is grateful for their fun circle of friends.

He would like to continue serving as a legislative director in the near future and to continue growing in the job. He encourages anyone who is interested in working in the legislature to try even if they don’t go through a fellowship or feel they have enough of a background in politics. “Don’t give up,” he said. “I don’t know of any education or training program that can fully prepare you for working in the state capitol. Keep learning.”