Justin Matsushita
CA · Member, San Marcos Measure Q Citizens' Oversight Committee
Justin Matsushita is a former Santee fire chief who leads Miramar College's public safety management bachelor's program and sits on San Marcos's Measure Q oversight committee. His top priorities are updating the city's General Plan and making sure Measure Q sales-tax money is spent wisely.
Where Justin Matsushita stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (8 records), Public Infrastructure (4 records)
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (4 records)
Track record
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 4 oppose
As Santee fire chief, presented a design-build contract to finish the temporary fire station's truck bay and living quarters. The City Council approved it 5-0 and added $424,721 from the general fund.
February 26, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
As Santee fire chief, asked the City Council to fund a study for a temporary and later permanent fire station at Woodglen Vista Park in north Santee. The council approved it 5-0.
February 12, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
As Santee fire chief, proposed a four-month trial adding a second 12-hour basic ambulance shift, staffed by four new part-time EMTs. The City Council approved it 5-0, using $43,784 from emergency medical services reserves.
January 10, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
As Santee fire chief, presented a plan for a temporary fire station at the city's public works yard. The City Council voted 4-0 to set aside money to build it.
October 11, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 8 support
As Santee fire chief, presented a design-build contract to finish the temporary fire station's truck bay and living quarters. The City Council approved it 5-0 and added $424,721 from the general fund.
February 26, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
As Santee fire chief, asked the City Council to fund a study for a temporary and later permanent fire station at Woodglen Vista Park in north Santee. The council approved it 5-0.
February 12, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
As Santee fire chief, presented a plan to accept a federal FEMA grant to clear brush and create defensible space along the San Diego River in Santee. The City Council approved it 5-0.
August 14, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
As Santee fire chief, presented the purchase of a new wildland brush fire engine paid for with a San Diego Regional Fire Foundation grant. The City Council approved the purchase 5-0.
August 14, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
Told NBC 7 San Diego that Santee's two fire stations, unchanged since 1964, were overcrowded and needed expansion, as a citizen group sought a sales tax for fire stations.
February 21, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: nbcsandiego.com
As Santee fire chief, proposed a four-month trial adding a second 12-hour basic ambulance shift, staffed by four new part-time EMTs. The City Council approved it 5-0, using $43,784 from emergency medical services reserves.
January 10, 2024Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
As Santee fire chief, presented a plan for a temporary fire station at the city's public works yard. The City Council voted 4-0 to set aside money to build it.
October 11, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
As Santee fire chief, presented the fire department's community risk study and long-range plan to the City Council. The council discussed how to pay for it, including a possible sales tax, and gave staff direction.
April 26, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 4 support
As Santee fire chief, presented a design-build contract to finish the temporary fire station's truck bay and living quarters. The City Council approved it 5-0 and added $424,721 from the general fund.
February 26, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
As Santee fire chief, asked the City Council to fund a study for a temporary and later permanent fire station at Woodglen Vista Park in north Santee. The council approved it 5-0.
February 12, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
Told NBC 7 San Diego that Santee's two fire stations, unchanged since 1964, were overcrowded and needed expansion, as a citizen group sought a sales tax for fire stations.
February 21, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: nbcsandiego.com
As Santee fire chief, presented a plan for a temporary fire station at the city's public works yard. The City Council voted 4-0 to set aside money to build it.
October 11, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: cityofsanteeca.gov
Track record — General
General · 5 records
Received the endorsement of IBEW Local 569, the electrical workers union, for San Marcos City Council District 2 in its 2026 voting guide.
October 2, 2026
Source: ibew569.org
Received the San Diego County Democratic Party's endorsement for San Marcos City Council District 2 in the November 2026 election.
September 30, 2026
Source: kpbs.org
Received the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council's endorsement for San Marcos City Council District 2 in the November 2026 election.
September 18, 2026
Source: sdbuildingtrades.com
Led the California Fire Chiefs Association's statewide Emergency Management Section as its president after retiring as Santee's fire chief and emergency manager.
December 15, 2025
Source: em.calchiefs.org
Was appointed by the San Marcos City Council to the three-member Measure Q Citizens' Oversight Committee, which reviews how the city spends money from its 2024 sales tax increase.
December 10, 2024
Source: sanmarcosca.gov
Past race Justin Matsushita ran in:
- Member of the City Council, District No. 2 · November 3, 2026 · San Marcos city, California