Melissa Shuen-Mallory is a Legal Assistant by day and activist and organizer by night and weekend. In addition to her full time job, she is the Chair of Union City's Human Relations Commission, the Chair of Southern Alameda County Progressive Democrats club, and an opera singer. She also volunteers her time to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and to support organizations that serve the unhoused.

Democratic Party County Central Committee - Member, Assembly District 20
Member, Assembly District 20 — Democratic Party County Central Committee
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Member, Assembly District 20 — Democratic Party County Central Committee
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
About this office
Candidates
Elisa Marquez
- Outreach to the young diverse community in AD 20 to...
- Advocate for the construction of more affordable housing...
- Lead in climate stewardship.
Terry Sandoval
- Advocate for Universal Healthcare for all Californians.
- Protector of Public Education, Public Safety, and...
- Protector that the American Dream is a Human Right...
Barisha Spriggs
- Create proper resources for public schools/colleges...
- Advocate for more affordable housing to solve the...
- Ensure the Democratic Party is accessible and transparent...
Encourage this candidate to share their information on Voter's Edge.
Lance Kwan
- Committed to forging pragmatic Democratic alliances...
- Responsible environmental stewardship that focuses...
- Bringing representation to the district for those...
Encourage this candidate to share their information on Voter's Edge.
Melissa Shuen-Mallory
- Getting corporate money out of politics, Melissa has...
- Promote transparency in the Democratic Party endorsement...
- Work to make the rules for the Democratic Party endorsement...
Encourage this candidate to share their information on Voter's Edge.
Encourage this candidate to share their information on Voter's Edge.
- To move the Democratic Party forward based on the...
- Get Democrats elected in the 20th AD
- Work with all members to have a united Party
Vanessa Sadsad
- Work to ensure underrepresented communities in our...
- Supporting candidates and measures committed to progressive...
- Developing grassroots organizing program with efforts...
James Paul Farley, Jr.
- To ensure more unity within the Democratic party....
- Work within the community. To help tackle issues such...
- Increase Democratic voter participation through candidate...
Encourage this candidate to share their information on Voter's Edge.
Cullen Tiernan
- New Voices in Alameda County: Alameda has the honor...
- Sustainable Development: We are developing at a rate...
- Green Energy Initiatives: Our planet is suffering...
Austin Michael Bruckner
- Create a more welcoming local Democratic Party that...
- Ensure that all candidates supported by the Democratic...
- Promote greater outreach to the community, service...
My Top 3 Priorities
- Outreach to the young diverse community in AD 20 to register more Democratic voters.
- Advocate for the construction of more affordable housing to prevent displacement and homelessness.
- Lead in climate stewardship.
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Phong La, Alameda County Assessor
- Teamsters Joint Council 7
- SEIU-1021
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
More information about contributions
Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- Advocate for Universal Healthcare for all Californians.
- Protector of Public Education, Public Safety, and the rights of individuals to form a more Perfect Union for uplifting and protection of Working Families.
- Protector that the American Dream is a Human Right that is not limited by our Borders, Race, Religion, or Sexual Orientation.
Experience
Experience
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Senator Bob Wieckowski SD 10
- Assemblymember Bill Quirk AD 20
- Alameda County Assesor Phong La
Organizations (1)
- Tri-Cities Democrats
Elected Officials (2)
- Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle District 2
- Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb District 1
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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My Top 3 Priorities
- Create proper resources for public schools/colleges to create education excellence and equity.
- Advocate for more affordable housing to solve the homeless crisis, and more economic opportunities for working families.
- Ensure the Democratic Party is accessible and transparent for all populations by registering more voters and community outreach.
Experience
Experience
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Fremont City Councilman Vinnie Bacon
- Fremont City Council Member Jenny Kassan
Organizations (1)
- SEIU 1021
Elected Officials (3)
- Hayward City Council Member Sara Lamin
- Alameda County Board of Education Trustee Aisha Knowles
- Oakland City Council Member Dan Kalb
Individuals (2)
- Chair of the California Democratic Party African Amercian Caucus and Vice Chair of the Labor Caucus Taisha Brown
- Former Califronia Democratic Party Controller Hillary Crosby
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Candidate Contact Info
Who gave money to this candidate?
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Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- Committed to forging pragmatic Democratic alliances across Alameda County to best serve the needs of our community
- Responsible environmental stewardship that focuses on solving the crisis of the lack affordable housing, increasing traffic problems, and increasing homelessness issue in Alameda County
- Bringing representation to the district for those that are millennial, Asian American, and LGBTQ+ to the Democratic Central Commitee.
Experience
Education
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- Getting corporate money out of politics, Melissa has taken a corporate free pledge not to accept corporate money or endorse candidates that do
- Promote transparency in the Democratic Party endorsement system
- Work to make the rules for the Democratic Party endorsement easier to understand and follow for new candidates
Experience
Experience
Education
Community Activities
Biography
Who supports this candidate?
Organizations (5)
- Southern Alameda County Progressive Democrats
- F.U.N. Progressives
- East Bay Stonewall Democrats
- Our Revolution East Bay
- SEIU Local 1021
Elected Officials (7)
- Council Member Aisha Wahab - Hayward
- Supervisor Richard Valle
- Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci - Union City
- Council Member Vinnie Bacon - Fremont
- Council Member Emily Duncan - Union City
- Council Member Jenny Kassan - Fremont
- Council Member Sara Lamnin - Hayward
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
Melissa is a bold progressive who believes in fighting the revolution from inside the house. Melissa is committed to fighting for more transparency and diversity within the Democratic Party. Melissa has been serving their community as the Chair of Union City's Human Relations Commission and also as the Chair of Southern Alameda County Progressive Democrats. Melissa is a strong believer in social justice, climate justice, healthcare as a human right and protecting the dignity of every human being.
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Candidate Contact Info
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- To move the Democratic Party forward based on the platform
- Get Democrats elected in the 20th AD
- Work with all members to have a united Party
Experience
Experience
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- Work to ensure underrepresented communities in our community not only have a voice but inclusion within our local Democratic Party.
- Supporting candidates and measures committed to progressive & equitable policies.
- Developing grassroots organizing program with efforts to increase both voter outreach & registration.
Experience
Education
Community Activities
Biography
Vanessa graduated from the University of California-Santa Cruz, receiving her degree in Philosophy and Politics, where she quickly immersed herself in campus organizing. She got involved with campus student government and even became the Vice President of Membership of the UCSC College Democrats. Her work for education justice drives her efforts locally where she previously joined Evolve California in San Francisco as an organizer by working to reform Prop. 13 making corporations pay their fair share. She previously served as the National Queer Students of Color Caucus Chair (NQSoC), sitting on the Board of Directors for the United States Student Association (USSA). Vanessa currently serves on the executive board of the South Alameda County Progressive Democrats. When not volunteering, Vanessa has worked in a retail setting to help pay her student loans.
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- East Bay Stonewall Democrats
- FUN Progressives
- South Alameda County Progressive Democrats
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
My name is Vanessa Sadsad. Born and raised in Union City to a Filipino father and Mexican mother, I’m running for central committee because now more than ever we need a truly transparent party that amplifies the experiences of our most underrepresented communities. A party free from corporate interests. On the issues:
- A Green New Deal & Fossil Free
- Free Higher Education
- Public financed elections & getting money out of politics
- Housing Justice emphasizing housing for all by making corporations pay their fair share
- Criminal Justice Reform & restorative justice practices; this means ending mass incarceration & the school to prison pipeline
- Abolishing ICE
- Repealing Costa Hawkins & fighting for rent control
- Investing in our public transportation systems
Please feel free to contact me as i'm open to answering questions one-on-one or via email.
Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- To ensure more unity within the Democratic party. By working with different groups within the Democratic party on our core platform values .
- Work within the community. To help tackle issues such as homelessness, Help keep Unions strong as they are the foundation of workers rights in America and the World.
- Increase Democratic voter participation through candidate forum's , Voter registration and other public events.
Experience
Biography
Graduated from San Leandro High. I participated in Close-up club in high school which studies government and politics here and in Washington DC. I took political science at Chabot college and received a 4.0. I have lived in Alameda county all my life, So i've seen the growth and the changing issues within the county. I've only worked in Alameda county and received some promotions. I know do to my hard work ethic. Current job 20 years in Pleasanton California promoted to Dispatcher. I serve on the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee 20th A.D. Appointed incumbent. Won several awards for my service 2016 Democrat of the Year by the Hayward Area Democratic Club. 2011 Regional Directors Award by the california Democratic party. 2004 Democrat of the Year by the Alameda County Democratic Party.
Who supports this candidate?
Organizations (3)
- F.U.N. Progressives Club
- SEIU 1021
- Hayward Area Democratic Club
Elected Officials (6)
- CA State Controller Betty Yee
- Assemblyman Bill Quirk
- Former State Senate Majority Leader & current East Bay Regional Park Board Member Ellen Corbett
- Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley
- San Leandro Council Member Corina Lopez
- Hayward City Council Member Sara Lamnin
Individuals (1)
- Former Hayward School Board Member Lisa Brunner
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
Life , Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: as found in the United States Declaration of Independence and we as a people protect the Bill of Rights and our Constitution from further erosion as it is the bedrock of our Democracy. Endorsed By: CA State Controller Betty Yee , Assemblyman Bill Qurik, Former State Majority Leader Ellen Corbett & current East Bay Regional Park Member, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, Hayward City Council Member Sara Lamnin, San Leandro Council Member Corina Lopez , Former Hayward School Board Member Lisa Brunner, SEIU 1021, F.U.N. Progressives Club and Hayward Area Democratic Club.
Candidate Contact Info
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Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- New Voices in Alameda County: Alameda has the honor of being one of the most diverse counties in the country. With our cultural and economic diversity, we can be the example for the country on how to build inclusive party.
- Sustainable Development: We are developing at a rate that will max out our space. The most troubling part is that our land will be fully developed, but our communities will not be. We need leaders who will address our housing crisis.
- Green Energy Initiatives: Our planet is suffering from Climate Crisis and every level of government needs to act quickly and to be bold with new efforts to save our resources.
Experience
Education
Biography
I would be honored to continue to serve you as a representative from Assembly District 20 on the Alameda County Central Committee. Since 2016, I’ve attended every meeting of the California Democratic Party and have been elected Chair of our Veterans Caucus and our E-Board Representative.
As Veteran Caucus Chair, we have held joint meetings with the Arab-American and Disabilities Caucuses and created a sub-committee dedicated to bringing home Deported Veterans.
I’ve also been humbled to serve as Congressman Ro Khanna’s Delegate to our Alameda County Central Committee. There, I’ve helped push for greater transparency, and I’m happy to report that our meetings are now documented on Facebook Livestream.
In Fremont, I’ve now lead two clean-money campaigns for City Council. Both on platforms that are unapologetically Progressive on every issue. Our last campaign earned the 4th largest amount of votes in the city, but due to our district election system, we did not earn one of the 4 seats available.
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Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
I am committed to working for you and building our party through grassroots funding. I will support Democratic candidates who are focused housing stabilization, green energy infrastructure and a forward thinking education plans that help foster a competitive school district with diverse opportunities for every child.
I will work to increase transparency and listen to voices not normally heard by our Dem Central Committee. I will work to strengthen the relationship between our community and our party. I will follow up with real changes to improve transparency with our politics that will increase voter participation and thereby help improve the lives of residents and improve our city.
Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- Create a more welcoming local Democratic Party that encourages people to get involved
- Ensure that all candidates supported by the Democratic Party, via endorsements or financial contributions, support Democratic Ideals (i.e. healthcare for all, rent control etc.) and they continue to advance polices that align with Democratic values
- Promote greater outreach to the community, service organizations and local Democratic clubs to ensure that we are always bringing new life and progressive ideas into the party
Experience
Experience
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
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Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
I am running for the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee to ensure that our local party is a institution that is more welcoming to new people and new ideas. Our party is broken and we all too often fail to act like Democrats. At times, our local party fails to hold elected officials accountable and we rarely challenge incumbents, even if they fail to deliver for constituents or vote against progressive legislation. This must change.
We should only support candidates that support our principles AND actively carry them out in public policy i.e, healthcare for all, rent control and just cause evictions, livable wages that are actually livable in the Bay Area, Union workers and competitive contracts, oversight of local law enforcement and transparency in how our local tax dollars are spent.
I would be honoted to have your support on the March 3rd ballot.