SEIU Local 521 members in Bakersfield and San Jose held endorsement town hall meetings with aspiring elected leaders on March 27 – 28 and made recommendations for our official endorsement.
In San Jose, members met with Cindy Chavez and Teresa Alvarado. Both are vying for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat.
In Bakersfield, members met with Leticia Perez, who is running to fill the Senate District 16 seat vacated by former Senator Michael Rubio.
At each event, members held a question-and-answer session with the candidates, then discussed and voted for their top choice.
Members in Bakersfield participated in person and members in Fresno participated via video conference to give as many SEIU members in Senate District 16 a chance to participate.
The voting results:
· Cindy Chavez for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 2
· Leticia Perez for Senate District 16
“I think it was very engaging between the audience and candidates. It was just for SEIU members so it was very focused. A union can only be strong if members understand that the union is the members themselves. We are the union.”
— Linda Quach, Radiologic Technologist, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
“It was great to have members around the valley participate in this caucus. We’re lucky to be part of this process and happy about the outcome.”
— Victor Gaona, Electrical Technician I, City of Bakersfield
What’s next: The SEIU State Council Executive Board has approved the endorsement for Leticia Perez for Senate District 16. She is now officially endorsed by SEIU Local 521 and the SEIU State Council. The endorsement recommendation for Cindy Chavez will be taken up at the next 521 Officers’ meeting and at the next South Bay Central Labor Council Executive Board meeting for final approval.
