Nao Takasugi

Biography

Nao Takasugi, born to immigrant parents, endured the injustice of wartime internment before volunteering for the United States Army and serving with distinction in Europe. He returned to Oxnard determined to translate his military discipline into public service, eventually becoming a city councilman, mayor and state assemblyman who advocated for veterans and small businesses.

He worked tirelessly to expand educational opportunities, protect the coastline and deepen understanding across Oxnard's diverse neighborhoods, always drawing on his own experiences of hardship and resilience. Hundreds of civic leaders can trace their inspiration to his steady voice and boundless optimism.