Santa Clara CountyCandidate for Sheriff

I grew up in an underserved, working class family in the small town you may have heard of Punxsutawney, PA.  Not much was expected from you girls from rural Pennsylvania other that graduating high school, getting married, and raising a family.  Unlike most of my high school friends, I pursued a college education, and studied at the University of Pittsburgh.  When the cost of tuition pushed this goal out of my reach, so I chose another path…military service. 

After a long discussion with my parents, I chose to enlist in the United States Army.  I became a Combat Medic and served 5 years of active duty. Due to a lack of  advancement opportunities for women in my specialty, I ended my time in service (honorable discharge) and moved to California.  After working with the airlines for 6 years, I decided to continue my career in public service.  In 2002 I was offered a positon with the Santa Clara County Custody Bureau.  

I have been with the Sheriff's Office for 20 years and a supervising sergeant for the past 7 years.  I have been the Compliance Sergeant and oversaw the compliance of the entire Sheriff's Office for 3 years.  I was then assigned to the Elmwood jail where, as the Team Administrative Sergeant, I would oversee 60-75 deputies on a daily basis.  I am now assigned to the Main Jail as the Administrative Team Sergeant and oversee 50-65 deputies on a daily basis.  

I am a 25-year resident of the Bay Area and a 17-year resident of San Joe.  I am a mom and Veteran.  I am a LGBTQ+ ally, and I am married to a man of color.  All of these help me understand the diverse nature of our county. I want our communities to feel safe and protected and I vow to fulfill my oath of “to protect and serve”.

The Sheriff’s Office is in dire need of reform and I know I can deliver the changes that are needed for the Agency and the communities.  I am the only candidate who not only wants complete law enforcement reform, but I am the only candidate actually has plan to implement reform.

I am a life-long Democrat and my views for Sheriff fall in line with those of the California Democratic party.  I will fight for Santa Clara County’s most vulnerable communities, protect working families and ensure that everyone has a chance live the “American Dream”. I want Santa Clara County to ba a place where kids can be proud of where they live and residents feel safe.  I believe in collective bargaining, worker's rights, and a wormen's right to choose. I believe in feeding and housing the homeless.  I also believe there needs to be common sense gun control.  I know that cllimate change is an issue that also affects the Sheriff's Office, and I believe in the constitutional right for everyone to vote.  I belive in everyone's right to dignity and respect not matter of where you were born or what country you are a citizen.  I believe in quality educatin for all.  

As an elected official, I will have a voice and I will use my position to lobby city, county, and state officials if necessary.