I am a proud Filipina and a true blue Northern California progressive, and I’m running for re-election to the Democratic Central Committee to continue in the struggle of building a sustainable and successful infrastructure for our party. As a lifelong activist, I have fought for gender equity, open space protections, and expanded social services at the local, state, and national level. I have walked, called, managed, and donated to Democratic candidates across the county – and the country. This work has been challenging, especially as a woman of color asserting myself in the male-dominated world of campaign professionals, but it has left an indelible mark on my soul, and my values. And it’s that experience that propels me to stay engaged in party politics, even as every fiber of my being questions if it’s worth the effort.

In 2012, I coordinated the grassroots effort that helped secure the final seat of the first Democratic supermajority in the California State Assembly since the 19th Century. In 2016, I managed successful field campaigns for Democratic candidates in local city council and special district elections. And in 2018, I was proud to manage the campaign of a progressive woman for Santa Clara County Supervisor – who won an open seat by 20 points despite being outspent 5-to-1 by special interests. I am now honored to serve as her Policy Director, where I orchestrate an agenda focused on our county’s families and children.

During my first term on the Central Committee, I was elected to the position of Treasurer, and I’ve spent the past three years working with the Party Chair and our party’s political action wing to create more transparency and consistency in party finances. My goal is for every Democrat in our county to feel confident that their hard-earned dollars are being spent to help our Party become more effective, more focused, more strategic, and more impactful. Despite a Democratic plurality in California and our region, the Party is not growing, and conservatives in Democratic clothing are attempting to undermine our inclusivity and equality. This is a time for activists, not politicians.

Regardless of who you support for President, I have to say that seeing my name on the ballot next to names like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders – and yes, even Andrew Yang – is nerve-wracking and humbling. It is a privilege to participate in the democratic process, and I’ll work hard to earn your vote. You can help usher our Party into a new era by voting for a new generation of leadership. Look for my name – second on your ballot, first in your heart! 

My humblest thanks in advance.

- Angelica

P.S. I have a beautiful rescue dog and a moderately handsome husband (see pic above), and we live in the Shasta/Hanchett Park neighborhood of San José.

Please see AvaChiao.org for more information.  Thanks!

A former small-business owner and retired SJUSD Research Specialist, I raised my two sons in the Shasta/Hanchett Park Neighborhood with my husband Dan.  I have expanded our park areas, helped build a small park in my neighborhood and I worked on “The Alameda, A Beautiful Way project, a twenty year effort to revitalize The Alameda and encourage business growth and pedestrian walkability.  I currently serve as President on our neighborhood association board.

My experience as a local environmental leader and lifelong Democrat includes 7 years as a board member of Committee for Green Foothills, two three year terms with the San José Parks Commission, including tenure as Chair, and co-founding the San José Parks Foundation. I led efforts to raise the fees collected as part of the Parkland Dedication Ordinance to 100 percent of raw land value, giving San José millions of dollars for land acquisition for parks and trails. I served on the Coyote Valley Task Force for 7 years.

I am an elected member of the Santa Clara Democratic Central Committee serving as the party secretary, a delegate for Assembly District 28, and a member of DAWN Board of Directors.  I was given the Women of the Year award in 2017, by Assemblymember Evan Low.

I helped struggling students earn their diplomas and coordinated youth volunteer projects. I mentored high school students at Lincoln High School and serve on the Lincoln Foundation Executive Board. I currently work for District 2 San Jose City Councilmember Sergio Jimenez as a Policy and Legislative Advisor in the areas of Housing and Environment.

I am running to serve as your voice on the Santa Clara Central Committee.

I am a lifelong Democrat.  2020 is going to be critical to the future of our democracy, our country, and our party.  Building on the Blue Wave in 2018, we must continue to be united in upholding the values of our constitution.

We must stay true to our values and commitment to equality and justice for all, especially women, our youth, working families, veterans and the unheard voices of our community. We need to stay steadfast in support of health care, living wages, protecting the environment, veterans, affordable housing and eliminating homelessness.

I am an advocate for residents working with State leadership, City officials and our neighbors to create positive change.  I listen with my heart to people’s concerns and knows how to bring all sides together to get things done.  I am a witness to the struggles of our housing crisis, both for our families and veterans without permanent housing and those who struggle to keep pace with the soaring costs.  

I'm a fighter for these principles and honored to earn your vote.

I believe our end goals are clear: overcome our dependence on fossil fuels, enact common sense gun safety measures, protect and promote the rights of women and minorities and oppressed communities, create a fair economy, ensure a democratic majority on the Supreme Court, protect reproductive rights.... in all things act out of kindness and selflessness.

I believe that the operations of the Democratic Party have not fully served us, and changes are necessary. When we leave all decisions up to the political elite, who have a self-interest in their own ascent to power, we end up with a skewed system.  Ordinary citizens need to join the party leadership to shape it in an image that we would be proud to promote to others.

The Santa Clara County party has many successes and is filled with many wonderful, selfless people.  The primary needs are to continue to grow the Democratic majority, recruit more activists, and contest every down ballot seat.  There are a number of tensions within the county party, labor and new activist groups, and we need people who can work through differences and help create a successful culture.   

As an elected member of the Central Committee, I’ll represent all Democrats in our area, from all walks of life -  from entrepreneurs, engineers and teachers to janitors, construction and health care workers.

 In my capacity as Executive Director for the Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council I work to strengthen and support partnerships between companies and their employees that lead to family supporting careers, a stable workforce, and successful enterprise. I’ve been an advocate for legislation and policy that enable working families to climb the economic ladder and support the underlying framework for the middle class.

 My career began with an Apprenticeship in the Electrician’s Union, and my pattern of service took shape immediately through involvement in boards and committees. For seven years I led the Organizing Department for IBEW Local 332, bringing the benefits of collective bargaining to the electrical industry. My community activities have included amplifying the voice of our neighborhoods by serving twice as a Delegate to the California Democratic Party for Assembly District 28.

 I’ve completed several courses and programs related to labor advocacy at institutions such as San Jose City College, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Michigan, and Harvard Law School.

 On the Central Committee I’ll make sure the Democratic party continues to represent and advocate for the success and well-being of all working families.

My name is Michael Melillo, and I was born and raised in New England.  I relocated to Santa Clara County in 2007 for work, and since then I have been an active member of the community and local politics.  I am currently the Chairperson of the San Jose Library and Early Education Commission.  I also serve on the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Board of Directors.  I also served on the San Jose Unified Board of Education in 2018. I actively attend the Democratic Party Central Committee meetings, other Democratic Club meetings like the 21st Century Democratic Club, and I attend Orchard City Indivisible meetings on a weekly basis.

I have spent the past four years working towards flipping the house, flipping state assemblies from red to blue, and being an active member of our community. Let me lay out some examples.

I have supported organizations like Swing Left and Sister District both financially and through volunteering. I've written hundreds (this is not an exaggeration) of letters and postcards in flippable districts around the country encouraging them to vote and vote democratic.

Locally, I am very passionate about education and in particular early education (ages 0-5). I have served on the San Jose Library and Early Education Commission since 2016 and I am currently the chair of this commission. I have also served as an elected official on the San Jose Unified Board of Education. While on the board, I refused to take the salary and instead donated the money to the PTA organizations of our schools in the district. I also currently serve on the board of the Santa Clara county fairgrounds.

While I may have a gray beard, I am only 42 years old and think it's important to bring new blood into our local party on a regular basis, as many of the members of the central committee have been there for a very long time.

My priorities for the committee include continuing to increase voter turnout, expand our partnerships with organizations like Swing Left and Sister District to help maintain our majority in the house, flip the senate, and continue to flip more state legislatures. Locally, we need to continue to advocate for solutions to housing and homelessness, expand access to early education, and across the board make sure that the candidates that we are electing to local offices uphold the stances put forth by the democratic party platform. I realize this is a long message, but there is always more I'd be willing to discuss.

I’m running to make sure that the Democratic Party moves forward on critical issues important to all our communities. The committee needs representatives that are progressives, practical and able to develop interesting solutions to problems affecting our unhoused and people barely hanging on as the price of housing spirals upwards. I know that effective messaging can make a difference in how people look at issues and can make a real difference. I want to make sure that this work is brought into the mainstream at the Democratic party. I have worked in high tech, worked in many businesses all over the world, know the property business from all sides. I have been directly affected by gun violence and will be a strong advocate for sensible gun safety in the community.

I am a mother of three young adults, and I want to leave them a planet that they can continue to take care of.

In the next four years, the Democratic Central Committee needs people who can address the complex issues facing this community with a fresh and integrated point of view.