Elected Officials

Aaron Starr is a rare thing in California politics: a long-time Libertarian activist who won at the ballot box and now governs. Elected to the Oxnard City Council (District 3) in November 2024, Starr stepped onto the dais after years of grassroots reform work. His victory gives Oxnard residents a proven watchdog for transparent, accountable city government — and gives the Libertarian Party a high-profile, elected voice in one of Ventura County’s largest cities. Starr’s record backs up the brand. As president of the local reform group Moving Oxnard Forward, he helped voters repeal steep wastewater rate hikes (Measure M, 2016), and spotlighted illegal transfers from city utilities to the general fund, culminating in a court order to restore roughly $36.5 million to ratepayers. Most recently, Starr won a major First Amendment case striking down Oxnard’s campaign-contribution limits that were crafted to sideline his insurgent campaigns. That combination of taxpayer protection and civil-liberties wins is quintessentially Libertarian — and it’s now seated at the council table.

Bob Karwin was first elected in 2020 to serve as the City Councilman for Menifee’s District 1. Bob has lived in Menifee’s District 1 since 2001. He is an attorney and business owner in the District. From 2015-2020, before his election to City Council, he served the city as a Planning Commissioner. Bob has volunteered as a youth sports coach (football, softball, teeball, soccer) and is the volunteer attorney coach for the Paloma Valley High School Mock Trial program. One of Bob’s biggest accomplishments on City Council is the creation and construction of the separated bike lane along Normandy between La Ladera and Spirit Park (Berea Rd.) During Karwin’s time on City Council, Menifee has become ranked the #7 boomtown in America and the #18 Safest City in California. In addition, Menifee’s achieved a balanced budget and a 35% reserve fund. Karwin was re-elected in 2024.

Brian Holtz received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi Honors College (1987), and an M.S. in Software Engineering from the University of Michigan (1990). Since 1990 he has been a software engineer in Silicon Valley, working at Sun Microsystems, Yahoo, Kabam, and Walmart. He has been principal inventor on seven software patents, three involving computer security. As secretary of the 2008 Libertarian Party Platform Committee, he was the primary author of the current generation of the LP platform. He believes that water pricing should reflect its costs and scarcity, and is the best way to achieve water conservation. He believes that PHWD customers should be free to do whatever they want with the water they buy, as long as they impose no nuisance on their neighbors and no problems on PHWD infrastructure. Brian’s wife Melisse has an MBA from Stanford and works in portfolio planning at Genentech. They moved to Los Altos Hills in 2006 with their three daughters.

Board Member Since December 2014 15 Years in the JSUSD PTA’s 10 as an Officer Over 25 years in Finance Currently A Financial Analyst in the Health Care Industry Active Member in Several Community Organizations Resident of Crockett, CA

Jonathan Hall was elected to the Board, short-term in 2006. He ran for a full-term position in 2008 and 2012 and was re-elected. Mr. Hall represents the District as a Board member for the Association of Water Agencies/Joint Powers Insurance Authority. Mr. Hall is a retired software engineer for military defense communications.

Kelly Carden won a seat on the Rosamond Municipal Advisory Council in 2022. Carden is serving a term that runs through December 2026—an official, nonpartisan post where he represents Rosamond residents directly to the County Board of Supervisors and county departments. On the council, Carden has leaned into practical, liberty-minded problem-solving. On Carden’s watch, RMAC opened a student-advisor seat to involve young residents in local decision-making. Carden has worked to surface resident input on issues like traffic, trucks, dust, and road wear — bringing small-town accountability to county government.

Ryan E. Kelley was elected to represent District #4 (Brawley, Bombay Beach, Calipatria, Desert Shores, Niland, Salton City, Salton Sea Beach, Vista Del Mar, and Westmorland) in 2012. He is a lifelong and third generation resident of Imperial Valley. His civic commitment began as an Eagle Scout with Troop 22, Boy Scouts of America, and continued as Exalted Ruler of the Brawley Elk’s Lodge #1420. It was his desire to make a positive change that prompted him to become involved in local government; and today, he strives to make decisions that benefit our communities. As an Imperial County and Brawley Firefighter, he fought fires across Imperial County. As a Paramedic, he treated and cared for patients from Bombay Beach to Salton City. As an Imperial Valley College Instructor, he taught fire science and emergency medical services to the next generation of firefighters and EMTs. As the Imperial County Emergency Medical Services Administrator, he developed and enhanced the Emergency Medical Services system and capabilities. Beyond attending Brawley Union High School, Ryan holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Long Beach State University and an Associate’s of Science degree from Miramar College, as well as, a Paramedic Certificate from Imperial Valley College. Education and educational opportunities are important to Ryan, as he wants to build upon the options available to our youth. Supervisor Ryan E. Kelley lives in Brawley with his wife Robyn, their daughter, Bridget and son, Conor.

Scott “Kent” Fowler is a working Libertarian voice for better parks, fiscal discipline, and community say-so on the Feather River Recreation & Park District in Oroville. First elected to the FRRPD board in 2014 and currently serving a four-year term through December 2026, Fowler has held leadership as board chair (2024). In 2017, Fowler pressed to rescind a closed-session property action so residents could speak first. On his watch the District has delivered efficient park management, such as lift-station repairs at Riverbend Park, restoring vandalized pathway lighting, and inter-agency trail agreements that expand recreation without expanding bureaucracy. That’s Libertarian stewardship in practice: maintain core services, fix what’s broken, and partner when it saves taxpayers money.