County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors County Supervisor Cindy Chavez

Supervisor Cindy Chavez is responsible for representing the almost half-million residents of District 2. On her Twitter bio, Chavez describes the district as “East San Jose, Downtown San Jose, Little Saigon, Little Portugal & Japantown,” and her history on the board shows that she’s been attentive to that diverse constituency. Sworn into office in August 2013 after a special election, Chavez has been re-elected twice. A short list of her achievements on the board would include her work on the following projects: the $950 million affordable housing bond in 2016; bail reform for low-level, non-violent offenders; development of the nation’s third LGBTQ-focused homeless shelter; creation of a resource center for foster youth called The Hub; and development of the future Santa Clara County Vietnamese American Service Center, which broke ground in fall 2019.

Prior to joining the board, Chavez served on the San Jose City Council. Other high points of her career include stints as the the executive officer of the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council and executive director of Working Partnerships USA, a progressive policy think tank. Married with one child, Chavez lives with husband Mike Potter in the Naglee Park neighborhood of San Jose.

Alma mater: San Jose State University (bachelor’s degree in political science)

Notable quote: “Covid-19 has upended our lives, our businesses and our community. It has brought anxiety and sorrow to thousands of families and it is likely to be with us for many months—or even years—to come. However, despite all of this, the pandemic also presents us with an opportunity to solve some of the Bay Area’s toughest issues by reimagining fundamental aspects of our daily life.” —From Chavez’s guest commentary on the Cut the Commute Pledge, Silicon Valley Business Journal

Other Offices Held: On the San Jose City Council, 1998-2006. In 2005 and 2006 she served as San Jose's vice mayor.

Committee and board assignments: Supervisor Chavez chairs the Children, Families and Seniors Committee and serves on the Finance and Government Operations Committee. She also serves on the Valley Transportation Authority board, the Caltrain Board of Directors, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.