CLEO

California Local Elected Officials

Your Guide to Local Elected Office

Empowering Local Elected Officials for Effective Governance and Advocacy

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What Is CLEO?

CLEO is a membership organization that educates, supports and advises a growing network of local elected officials throughout California’s thousands of cities, counties, school and special districts.

CLEO members are local leaders and elected officials who stand for financial sustainability, government transparency and personal liberty. In California, elected officials who hold these values often operate in isolation without trusted independent policy assessments that properly constrain government. CLEO is meant to help our members rise above powerful and insatiable special interests while honestly serving their constituents.

CLEO offers policy guidance, detailed financial analyses, legal perspectives and communications assistance to our members at no cost through state-of-the-art online resources, regional training programs, and regular in-person and virtual events.

In addition, CLEO members receive support through our vast network of experienced local elected officials who are committed to principled governance as well as CLEO’s knowledgeable and dedicated staff.

Mari Barke
Director | CLEO

Mari Barke is the director of California Local Elected Officials (CLEO). Mari is an elected trustee to the Orange County Board of Education and served as board president from 2019-2020 and again from 2021-2022. She is a frequent public speaker on good governance and effective school board leadership. Mari and Lance Christensen regularly join forces to provide in-person trainings to potential candidates and local leaders throughout the state. Mari serves in leadership or advisory roles for several organizations, including SBAE (Schools Boards for Academic Excellence), CFER (Californians for Equal Rights Foundation), and Cypress Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as Ambassador for the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce.

Lance Christensen
Vice President, Education Policy & Government Affairs

Lance Christensen brings two decades of public policy and political experience to the California Policy Center where he serves as Vice President of Education Policy and Government Affairs. Christensen was a candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction on the November 2022 statewide ballot and one of the principal architects of the recent school choice initiative proposal in California. Before his tenure at CPC, Christensen worked as a legislative consultant in the California State Senate and as a finance budget analyst at the Department of Finance. He also served as chief of staff and senior policy advisor to former California State Sen. John Moorlach.

CLEO Features

Enjoy CLEO on the Web & Mobile

Comprehensive programs to enhance the knowledge and leadership skills of local elected officials.

Networking and learning opportunities for officials to connect and collaborate.

Keeping officials informed about key policy and news developments at the state and local level.

Fostering a supportive community for officials to share experiences and seek advice.

How It Works

Step 1

Join CLEO and Unlock Resources

Enroll on our website with a $9 one-time payment. Gain immediate access to our platform designed to support and advise local elected officials.

Step 2

Download the
CLEO Mobile App

Download our mobile app on your Apple or Android device after enrolling. Access resources and stay connected wherever you go.

Step 3

Expand Knowledge and Unleash Potential

Choose from our Leadership Academy or the CLEO Candidate Academy. Develop skills for effective governance and strategic campaigns.

Current Courses

Local Elected Official Leadership Academy

A 16 session masterclass in public policy reviewing everything from housing policy to the Brown Act. Developed in partnership with Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy for new and experienced local elected officials.

CLEO Candidate Academy

For California local elected officials and candidates seeking to run strategic, effective and compliant campaigns for public office. Developed by a team of political consultants, experienced candidates and campaign staff.

Meet Your Instructors

Learn from Seasoned Experts in Public Policy and Governance

Sheriff Don Barnes

Working Alongside Law Enforcement

Former Senator John Moorlach

Municipal Financing, Principles of Taxes, Fees & Bonds

Peggy Huang

Infrastructure, Housing, Public Works & Property Rights

Ryan Williams

Constitutional Governance & First Principles

And More

Unlock Exclusive Content in the CLEO App

Discover News and Toolkits Tailored for Elected Officials – See More Inside the App

News

Government Agencies Should Develop a Financial Plan—Here’s How

MOST OC CITIES FINANCIALLY STABLE, WHILE ONE SEEKS SALES TAX INCREASE

HOAs Set Aside Funds for Major Repairs—School Districts Should, Too

Signup to Access Tool Kits and More

Connect with CLEO on Social Media

Contact Us

Our team is committed to providing information and assistance to candidates and local elected officials. Communication is confidential. Please reach out if you have any questions and our team will get back to you promptly.

CLEO is a project of the California Policy Center