Rickey Tracy Hayes II
Candidate for Assembly District 40
Rickey T. Hayes II is a Republican candidate. He is running for California Assembly District 40. The general election is November 3, 2026. He faces Democratic incumbent Pilar Schiavo. Hayes has lived in the Santa Clarita area for more than 13 years. He has family ties to Compton and Long Beach. He is married to Dr. Priscilla Barbero. He describes himself as a parent and grandparent. His campaign describes his work history. He served in the United States Marine Corps. He worked as a custody officer and police officer. He later worked in the energy field. He was a Journeyman Lineman with IBEW Local 47. He then became an energy infrastructure executive. He helped build and modernize California's electrical grid. This is his first run for elected office. He has not held public office before. Hayes came in first in the June 2, 2026 primary. It was a top-two primary. He got 22.3% of the vote. Two other Republicans ran behind him. They were Elizabeth Wong Ahlers and Andreas Farmakalidis. Schiavo led the primary with 55.6%. His campaign focuses on public safety. It also focuses on lower energy costs and grid upgrades. He also supports working families. Several state lawmakers have endorsed him. Local officials in the Santa Clarita area have too. Home: Santa Clarita, California. Job: Energy infrastructure executive. He is also an IBEW Local 47 journeyman lineman. He is a former law enforcement officer. He is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Prior office: None. This is his first run for elected office. He is challenging incumbent Pilar Schiavo.
On the issues
- Economy & Jobs
Hayes emphasizes support for working families and frames his union/energy-industry background (IBEW Local 47 lineman) as central to his economic message, without citing specific labor, wage, or business-regulation policy proposals.
Source → - Taxes & Cost of Living
Hayes opposes California's automatic annual gas tax increase and has called for lowering the gas tax to reduce costs for commuters, families, and small businesses.
Source → - Public Safety & Policing
Hayes makes neighborhood/community safety and support for law enforcement a central campaign theme, drawing on his background as a former custody officer and police officer, though without detailed policy specifics on funding, oversight, or gun policy.
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Hayes supports expanding in-state energy production (including hydro, geothermal, nuclear/small modular reactors, wind, and newer solar technology), modernizing aging power lines to improve grid reliability and reduce wildfire risk, requiring large data centers to generate more of their own power, and expanding in-state oil and natural gas production.
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.