City of San Jose City Council Councilmember Domingo Candelas

In January of 2023, Domingo Candelas was appointed to the San Jose City Council, filling the vacant seat of Sylvia Arenas after she won her 2022 race for a seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The spot was not filled without challenge: Candelas’ appointment was opposed by a few individuals, and he was elected following a grueling nine-hour council meeting.

Candelas is the child of Mexican immigrants, and was born and raised in the Evergreen neighborhood his council district now serves. He is a graduate of San Jose State University, and currently works as director of local government affairs at Stanford University. He has also worked at Valley Water and the California State Senate.

First appointed: January 2023

Alma mater: San Jose State University (bachelor’s degree, political science; master's degree, public administration)

Notable quote: “Meeting with the community, setting up an office and making sure that we’re diverse, that we’re engaging, we’re responsive, that’s my top priority.” (Source: San Jose Spotlight)

Every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.