Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
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Name: Michael Cruikshank
Age: 43
Current job title: Principal Hydrogeologist
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Laguna Hills
Campaign website or social media: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcruikshank
Tell us what your No. 1 priority is for this office, should you be elected. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
My No. 1 priority will be ensuring long-term water supply reliability for our community as we face a hotter, drier climate and declining availability of imported water sources like the Colorado River and the State Water Project.
As a water resources professional with nearly twenty years of experience, I understand the importance of balancing reliability, affordability, and sustainability. Moulton Niguel Water District has earned a strong reputation for planning ahead, investing in innovation, and maintaining high-quality service, and I believe it is essential to continue that forward-looking approach. My focus would be on supporting strategic investments in infrastructure, water recycling, supply diversification, and emerging technologies that strengthen resilience while delivering long-term value to customers.
What does this department do for citizens? What do you view as its most important role for residents, and why? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Moulton Niguel Water District delivers safe and reliable drinking water, collects and treats wastewater, recycles water, and maintains the infrastructure needed to serve homes, businesses, schools, and public facilities throughout the community. It also plans for future water needs, invests in infrastructure, and supports preparedness during droughts and other natural disasters.
I view Moulton Niguel’s most important role as ensuring reliable water and wastewater service both today and for future generations. Residents depend on these services every day, often without realizing the extensive planning, infrastructure, and operational expertise required to make them seamless and dependable.
Your neighbors may not be so familiar with this office on their ballot. How would you promote more general knowledge of the district and the importance of its work? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
One of the greatest challenges facing water districts is that people often think about water service only when there is a problem. My goal would be to help residents better understand the critical work Moulton Niguel does every day to provide safe, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services.
As a board member, I would also look for opportunities to explain how long-term planning, infrastructure investments, recycled water programs, and financial stewardship directly affect service reliability and ratepayer value. Residents are more likely to trust and support the district when they understand how decisions are made and how those decisions benefit the community.
What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
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I bring nearly 20 years of experience helping water agencies address some of California’s most complex water resource challenges, along with executive leadership experience overseeing business operations, strategic planning, risk management, and organizational growth.
Throughout my career, I have led and supported the development and implementation of groundwater sustainability plans, water supply planning efforts, recycled water initiatives, and strategies addressing climate variability, and changing water demands. This experience has given me a strong understanding of both the technical and policy decisions that shape a reliable and sustainable water future. I have learned that good governance begins with listening, asking thoughtful questions, and making decisions based on facts and sound judgment. I have also learned the importance of transparency, collaboration, and maintaining a clear distinction between policy leadership and staff operations.
I would bring technical expertise, executive leadership experience, and a genuine passion for public service to help Moulton Niguel continue to deliver exceptional value, reliability, and innovation to the residents it serves.
What will you do to establish trust with your community that you will tackle this job well? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I believe trust is earned through transparency, preparation, and consistent engagement with the community. If elected, I will approach every decision with integrity and a commitment to putting the interests of residents and ratepayers first.
Ultimately, trust is built over time through actions, not words. I will work hard to earn that trust by being accountable, respectful of differing viewpoints, and focused on delivering reliable, high-quality service that residents can depend on every day.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
The best book I read this year was “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck.
I was inspired to read it again after hearing a quote during a water conference presentation and amid forecasts of El Niño: “I have spoken of the rich years when the rainfall was plentiful. But there were dry years too…. And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry years.”
It serves as a reminder that California cannot afford to forget the wet years and the water they provide. Our population has grown dramatically since John Steinbeck used the Salinas Valley as a setting for his epic novel, making it even more important to invest in the infrastructure needed to capture, store, and distribute water during wet years so it is available when the dry years inevitably return.
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