[{"createTs":"2026-09-29T20:21:30.870446","statement":"<h1 dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: center\">STATEMENT OF MIKE VAN GORDER</h1><h2 dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: center\">CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL</h2><h3 dir=\"auto\" style=\"text-align: center\">CITY OF BURBANK GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION</h3><p dir=\"auto\">Age: 41</p><p dir=\"auto\">Occupation: Governmental Analyst </p><p dir=\"auto\">Hi Burbank! You might know me as \"the guy that fights ICE on Instagram,\" or as the organizer of the protest that got Jimmy Kimmel back on the air. Professionally, I've built my career fighting for economic justice, earning a Master's Degree in Housing and Community Economic Development from UCLA (during COVID, no less) to become a housing policy expert recognized statewide. Fighting for American values takes many forms, and this moment demands both a polished professional and a tenacious public advocate.</p><p dir=\"auto\">My wife and I have two girls in Burbank public schools. We love raising our family here, but like too many Burbankers, we spend over half our income on our home. Average Burbank home prices are above a million dollars, and our average two-bedroom rent is $2,949, an increase of 13% from two years ago. Working families are getting crushed.</p><p dir=\"auto\">I'm what City Council has been missing—the last piece of the progressive puzzle that will lock in the majority to deliver improvements to Burbankers' lives. We need serious protections for renters, better wages and benefits to our community, and long-term planning foresight to give our kids the chance to thrive right here in Burbank.</p><p dir=\"auto\">And abolish ICE!</p>","editTs":"2026-09-29T20:21:30.870446","language":"EN","status":4,"contestId":10425,"electionId":4348,"candidateId":26688,"publishedBy":69,"statementId":60854,"createdBy":69,"lastChangeBy":69,"publicCandidate":null}]