Edgy Interview: Mike Sannella

Mike Sannella is San Marcos’ deputy mayor, a 2026 mayoral candidate, and a man who knows when to hold ’em. A corporate security and risk-management executive, Sannella once finished 43rd among 2,500-plus players at a World Series of Poker event, outlasting soccer star Neymar. His public-service résumé spans planning, water and transit, including a dollar-a-year deal that opened South Lake to recreation. Politically awakened by his parents’ work for Ross Perot, he now proudly champions San Marcos’ low-drama governance. His soundtrack runs from Metallica to Taylor Swift, although his next concert is Guns N’ Roses. Maybe we’ll rock out with him there at Snapdragon.

 When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child, what I wanted most was to grow up and become a professional soccer player. Soccer was a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I played organized soccer, but I also played with my friends every chance I got.

After school, I would come home, finish my homework, and head straight outside to the neighborhood grass field or the cul-de-sac. We would play until it got dark. I did that for probably 12 years, and as I got older, I became more involved in competitive soccer and eventually played in high school.

At the time, though, the opportunities to play professionally in the United States were much more limited than they are today. To make soccer a career, you generally had to be talented enough to go from high school to playing in places like Europe or South America. I thought I was a pretty good player, but I knew I was not quite at that level.

CSUSM also didn’t have a soccer program then, so that chapter of my life eventually came to an end and I had to pursue a different professional path. But growing up, there was never any question about it, my dream job was to be a professional soccer player.

Tell us about the point in your life when you realized your calling was politics?

I first got a taste of politics when I was young, when my parents volunteered for Ross Perot’s presidential campaign. I remember seeing how much time and energy they put into it, and that early exposure stuck with me.

My interest really grew in college at Cal State San Marcos. I joined a political club, eventually became its president, and began volunteering on campaigns at both the local and state level. Later, I became chairman of the club’s statewide organization. Those experiences gave me the opportunity to work around candidates and elected officials, visit the State Capitol, and see the governing process up close.

As I got older, my interest in politics became less about campaigns and more about service. I started to understand how important it is to give back and be an active part of your community. That became even more meaningful once I had my daughter, because I began thinking not just about the community I was living in, but the kind of community we were helping build for the next generation.

I began serving locally on the San Marcos Planning Commission, was later elected to the water board, then ran for City Council, and now serve as Deputy Mayor of San Marcos. Along the way, I have won elections and I have lost elections, but every experience has taught me something.

What has kept me involved is the opportunity to give back, help shape the community I live in, and do my part to make San Marcos the best place it can be for the families who call it home.

You’ve served on water, planning, and transit district boards. What achievement are you proudest of?

One of my proudest achievements began during my time on the Vallecitos Water Board and carried through my service on the San Marcos City Council: helping open South Lake to the public for fishing, hiking, and recreation.

For years, South Lake was fenced off from the community, even though it was a beautiful local resource with so much potential. People knew it was there and wanted to enjoy it so locals would find ways to access it either over — or through — the fencing.

South Lake and the dam are Vallecitos-owned property and the water district had no appetite to get into the parks and recreation space. So we worked to find a practical solution, ultimately arranging for the City of San Marcos to lease the lake for just one dollar a year, with the city taking responsibility for its ongoing maintenance. It was a simple idea, but it took persistence and cooperation to make it happen.

Since then, South Lake has become a valued community space. Families fish there, people walk, hike, and bike around it, and residents have another place to enjoy the outdoors close to home. Hearing positive feedback and seeing people use the lake the way we hoped they would has been incredibly rewarding. It is now a special part of San Marcos, and I’m proud to have played a role in making it accessible to the community.

San Marcos seems to emphasize low-drama government. Is that a genuine governing philosophy?

I believe it is, and I think that’s one of San Marcos’ real secrets to success. What I’ve always appreciated about this community is that we tend to focus on being well-run instead of stirring up conflict for its own sake.

To me, good local government comes down to paying attention to the basics and following through. Keeping balanced budgets, planning for the long term, supporting public safety, maintaining our roads and parks, and creating the conditions for a strong local economy. Those things may not always make headlines, but they make a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives.

I’m proud that San Marcos has been able to work through challenges respectfully and collaboratively. We don’t have to agree on every issue, but when we listen to one another and keep the community’s best interests at the center, we can get things done. That steady, practical approach has served San Marcos very well, and I believe it will continue to do so.

If you could sit down to dinner with one former president, who would it be and what’s the topic?

Honestly, I’d love the chance to sit down and talk with every former president. But if I had to pick one, I think it would be JFK.

I’ve always been fascinated by outer space, the space program, and the sense of possibility it represents. In college, I wrote papers on the Apollo program, and the more I learned about that era, the more remarkable it seemed. It was a moment when the country chose to take on something that felt almost impossible, with no guarantee of success, and committed itself to seeing it through.

I’d want to hear President Kennedy’s perspective on what it was really like to lead during that time, the pressure he felt, the conversations happening behind closed doors, and how he balanced the risks with the opportunity. I’d be especially interested in how he arrived at the decision to set such an ambitious national goal and how he inspired people to believe it was achievable.

More than anything, I’d want to understand the human side of that moment, the doubts, the setbacks, and the leadership it took to turn a bold vision into reality.

Who should play you in your biopic?

I think Vince Vaughn would be the best fit [ed. I see it, and Swingers is one my favorite flicks]. I’ve been compared to him a few times over the years, at least in terms of looks, and I’ve always taken that as a compliment… for the most part.

I’ve also always liked his comedic timing and personality. He has a way of being funny without trying too hard, but he also comes across as grounded and relatable. That balance is something I connect with, being able to keep a sense of humor while still being genuine and approachable.

If you picture an older version of Vince Vaughn, I think that would probably be the closest fit. He’d bring the right mix of humor and personality to the role.

What was your favorite musical genre as a teenager and what are you listening to now?

Back when I was a teenager, I was all about hard rock. My first concert was Metallica, which probably set the tone for a long time. I went to shows for bands and artists like Slaughter, Pearl Jam, and Ozzy Osbourne.

As I’ve gotten older, especially as a girl dad, my taste in music has widened quite a bit. I’ve seen Taylor Swift twice with my daughter, and both shows were an absolute blast. Those are memories I’ll always appreciate. I’ve also gotten into country music, especially for the drives to and from work. I find country music to be a form of storytelling, and, for me, it helps clear my head.

That said, the rock kid is still very much in me. This September, I’m heading to Snapdragon to see Guns N’ Roses, and I’m looking forward to it. So, I’ve changed a little over the years, but not completely. These days, I just enjoy good music, whatever the genre happens to be.

If you were a competitive eater, which food would be your specialty?

If I were a competitive eater, my specialty would definitely be my mom’s spaghetti. Growing up, I had a crazy-fast metabolism and played soccer constantly, so I could put away endless bowls of spaghetti and never gain a pound.

There was just something about coming home hungry after practice or a game and seeing a big pot of her spaghetti waiting. I never needed any encouragement to go back for another serving or two.

Honestly, if it came down to a spaghetti-eating contest, especially with my mom’s recipe, I think I’d do pretty well. It may not be the most glamorous competitive-eating specialty, but it would be one I’d be proud to represent. But, now in my 50’s, the fast metabolism and the soccer playing days are long gone…

What’s been your favorite sports moment?

Growing up in San Diego as a die-hard Chargers fan, one moment that will always stay with me was the final play of the AFC Championship game in 1995 [Ed. Check out future Padres broadcaster Dick Enberg with the call]. When linebacker Dennis Gibson knocked that pass down to seal the win against the Steelers to send the team to the Super Bowl, we were going absolutely crazy.

It was one of those moments where you remember exactly where you were and who you were with. For longtime Chargers fans, it felt almost unreal, our team was headed to the Super Bowl.

The excitement didn’t end when the game did. My family and I drove down to Jack Murphy Stadium that night just to welcome the team back home along with like 50 thousand fellow San Diegans. Being there with so many other fans, all celebrating together, was unforgettable. It was more than just a football game; it was a great San Diego moment and a memory I’ll always be grateful to share with my family.

How did you acquire your prodigious poker playing skill?

I’ve always loved card games, especially Texas Hold’em. I started playing as a teenager in small family and neighborhood games, and over time I got more interested in the strategy, the personalities around the table, and the competition that comes with it.

During the pandemic in 2020, a few friends and I started casual Zoom poker nights. It was a fun way to stay connected when it was harder to see people in person, and it gave us something familiar to look forward to each week.

In 2023, I had the chance to play in a $1,500 buy-in World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas with over 2,500 players and finished 43rd. That was a pretty memorable experience on its own, but it became even more surreal when I ended up playing with Neymar, the Brazilian soccer star and a well-known poker player. He had an entourage standing behind him and I didn’t, but I outlasted him as he finished 45th. Over the years, I’ve found myself at tables with various poker professionals and even Neil Patrick Harris once.

These days, I mostly play in relaxed neighborhood and friend group games. It is less about the stakes and more about spending time with friends, sharing a few laughs, and enjoying a good game.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received and who gave it to you?

Early in my career, a boss told me something that has stayed with me ever since. “I’ll never judge you on what happens, only on how you handle it.”

Decades later, after many different positions with different companies, I actually report to that same person today, which feels a little full circle. But the advice has remained just as relevant over the years. Things do not always go as planned and every job, especially leadership, comes with unexpected challenges.

What matters is how you respond. That lesson has helped me to stay calm, focus on the facts and the data, and make measured decisions rather than reacting to the emotions of the moment. It is a simple piece of advice, but it has had a lasting influence on how I approach both work and life.

What advice do you have for young people starting out?

If I had to sum up my advice for someone just starting out, I would say work hard, get the right education and experience, and always keep learning. But above all, build your network.

In my own career, I do not think I have ever simply submitted an application cold and gotten the job. Almost every opportunity came through some kind of connection, someone I knew, someone who knew my work, or someone who reached out at the right time. Those relationships have made a real difference for me over the years.

That is why I encourage people to find mentors, invest in others, and build genuine relationships. Show up, be dependable, and stay connected with people even when there is no immediate opportunity in front of you. Some of the most meaningful professional relationships are built outside a formal office setting.

Go to the dinners, the happy hours, and the community events. Take the time to have real conversations and get to know people. Those moments matter. You never know which relationship may lead to an opportunity, a trusted mentor, or simply a person who will be in your corner when it counts.

If you could return to a place you’ve already visited, where would you go and why?

If I could go back to a place I have already visited, it would be Girona, Spain. It is a beautiful town about 60 minutes north of Barcelona. In the coastal area the scenery, the pace, and the feel of the area reminded me a lot of Carmel and Big Sur in California.

The food was fantastic, and the people were genuinely warm and friendly. One of my favorite memories was simply sitting in a neighborhood pub, watching soccer matches with the locals. Just enjoying the atmosphere, having conversation, and getting a glimpse from a local’s perspective.

That sense of connection is what I enjoy most when I travel. I would much rather slow down and spend time in smaller communities than rush through the biggest cities and tourist spots. I like learning about the people who live there, what they eat, what they do, and the stories they have to tell. Girona was one of those places that made you feel welcome, and I would love the chance to go back.