It is not often one can say the words “Honest Politician.” In today’s world, that phrase almost sounds like a contradiction. But occasionally, someone comes along who restores your faith in leadership. For me, that someone is Mike Antonovich.
I’ve worked on both sides of the political aisle – as a strategist for a Democrat who became the only freshman congressman ever appointed Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and later for a Republican who served honorably and then left Congress to become a pastor.
Later, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Prayer Conference of Washington, D.C., and then during a presidential campaign I helped lead under the American Independent Party. I’ve met many politicians in my life, but few who could truly be called servants of the people. Mike Antonovich is one of those rare few. He has always led with quiet faith, humility, and moral courage.
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending time with Mike and his wife, Christine, who has long stood beside him with grace, strength, and devotion. Christine is not only an accomplished actress and businesswoman, but also a deeply faithful woman of prayer. Together, they embody the balance between public duty and private integrity that so many aspire to but so few achieve.
After watching Mike deliver two remarkable speeches—one at HomeCo’s Grand Opening and 20-Year Anniversary, and another at the FengShang 10th Anniversary Gala—I was honored to sit privately with him and Christine. Most politicians talk; Mike listens. He looked me in the eye, asked how I was doing, and genuinely wanted to know what was happening in my life. That’s rare.
I told him about a character and storyline I had created but confessed I wasn’t sure which direction to take it. Mike listened thoughtfully and then said something simple yet profound: “Why not make it a series—like C.S. Lewis did with The Chronicles of Narnia?”
In that moment, his wisdom unlocked what had been holding me back. He didn’t just identify the problem; he offered a solution. That’s the mark of true wisdom—earned through years of faith, service, and life experience.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mike Antonovich’s life has always reflected commitment—to education, to country, and to community. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve, taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District, and later at Pepperdine University. From his early years on the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees to three terms in the California State Assembly, and ultimately his decades on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Mike’s career has been defined not by ambition but by purpose.
He represented the people of the Fifth District for nine four-year terms—serving communities from Pasadena to the Antelope Valley, from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Santa Clarita Valley. Along the way, he built coalitions, championed families, and guided projects that still bear his name, including the Michael D. Antonovich Trail and the Antonovich Regional Park.
But beyond the titles and the years of service, Mike’s greatest legacy lies in his character, his constancy in faith, his devotion to Christine and their children, and his belief that true leadership begins with listening.
Their home is a living reflection of their journey—filled with art, cultural treasures, and photographs with friends and icons like President Ronald Reagan, Ray Charles, and Kirk Douglas. Yet amid all the symbols of a very public life, what stands out most is the serenity of faith and family that grounds them both.
Even in retirement, Mike and Christine continue to touch lives. They offer counsel, encouragement, and prayer to those fortunate enough to cross their path. My time with them reminded me that wisdom isn’t found in politics—it’s earned through service, humility, and the courage to stay true when others compromise.
As I left that meeting, I felt grateful—not only for their friendship but for the reminder that honest leadership still exists. The world may be filled with noise, but every so often, you meet a man who truly listens.
That’s the legacy of Mike Antonovich—faith that guides, family that anchors, and public service that leaves behind earned wisdom for the next generation.
And our CEO H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe added bow much he treasures his friendship to Mike, Christine and her son!
