Prior to entering the State Legislature, he served on the board of a major California food processor and worked for the Agency for International Development in Eastern Europe and Russia assisting farmers with the transition from a closed to an open market economy.

He distinguished himself as a pragmatic legislator who supports education reform, "balanced" environmental regulations and tax relief for all Californians.

Since his election in 1994, Machado has authored legislation protecting school children from perpetrators by creating safety zones around schools, establishing drug rehabilitation programs in county jails, and providing a moratorium on gun shows illegally selling weapons.

He also served on the Senate Committees on Budget and Fiscal Review, Local Government, Natural Resources and Water, and Transportation and Housing.

Machado also received the support of the California Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (CARAL) and Planned Parenthood.