Michael "Mike" Silva

Background

Michael "Mike" Silva was born and raised in Vacaville's Markham Heights neighborhood, where his campaign biography says he still lives. In his statement in the county's November 2026 voter guide, he describes himself as the son of field and cannery workers and the first in his family to graduate from college. His campaign lists a bachelor's degree in cell and developmental biology from UC Santa Barbara (2010), a master's in biotechnology and bioinformatics from California State University Channel Islands (2013) and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. It says he worked as a medical assistant, in research at City of Hope and for several years at Genentech before teaching full time at Solano Community College, where he is a professor of biotechnology. The voter guide gives his age as 44.

In office

Silva won his first election on November 6, 2018, finishing first of five candidates for three seats on the Vacaville Unified School District board with 14,581 votes (23.39 percent). On November 3, 2020 he won Vacaville's District 3 council seat with 55.28 percent of the vote against Amber Robitaille, and on November 5, 2024 he was re-elected with 74.41 percent against Marc Reed. His term ends in December 2028. In January 2026 the council elected him vice mayor for the year on a 4-3 vote, succeeding Councilmember Sarah Chapman, the Daily Republic reported. Councilmember Roy Stockton said he wanted to be sure the vice mayor was committed to the role, citing rumors that Silva would run for supervisor.

In his voter guide statement, Silva says that on the council he funded police and fire, expanded youth programs, improved parks and community centers, and supported the city's first new affordable senior and workforce housing. In May 2026 he was the only District 4 primary candidate to answer the Daily Republic's written questions; he named a county fiscal squeeze from federal HR1 cuts and unfunded state mandates, and unchecked development, as the top problems.

In late January 2026 Silva announced a run for the District 4 seat against Supervisor John Vasquez, who was first elected to it in 2002 and announced in November 2025 that he would seek a seventh term. In February 2026 Vasquez ended his campaign, citing his health, and endorsed Mayor John Carli. Silva's campaign lists endorsements from Rep. John Garamendi, state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, Assemblymembers Lori Wilson and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Supervisors Mitch Mashburn, Wanda Williams and Cassandra James, and organizations including the Solano County Democratic Party, the Solano County Farm Bureau and the Napa-Solano Central Labor Council.

Sarah Chapman, Vacaville Councilmember (vice mayor in 2025), nominating him for vice mayor as a senior member who had not yet held the post, said "He is out there and speaks up for the residents" (Daily Republic, January 14, 2026).

On the ballot

Silva is in the November 3, 2026 runoff for Solano County Supervisor, District 4, which covers Vacaville, Dixon and the northern part of the county. His ballot designation is Professor / Vacaville Councilmember. His opponent is John Carli, Mayor, City of Vacaville. In the June 2 primary, certified results gave Silva 9,798 votes (43.03 percent), Carli 7,894 (34.67 percent) and Juan P. Desmarais 5,080 (22.31 percent), leaving no one with a majority. His voter guide statement names agricultural land, water rights and open space, public safety, housing and health care as priorities. The winner takes office in January 2027, and a Silva win would vacate his District 3 council seat.

John Carli, the opposing candidate, said he was a bit shocked when Silva decided to run against Supervisor John Vasquez: "It surprised me and disappointed me" (Winters Express, February 19, 2026).