Santa Clara County Supervisor and VTA Board Chair Cindy Chavez stated that the requested $6.2 billion in federal funding is crucial for completing the six-mile BART expansion from San Jose to Santa Clara. She noted that this construction project would create 75,000 jobs in Silicon Valley. Photo by B. Sakura Cannestra.
After attempting to leave Silicon Valley twice, a prominent figure in South Bay politics has been selected to lead a county hundreds of miles away — in New Mexico.
In a narrow 3-2 vote on Tuesday, elected officials in Bernalillo County appointed Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez as the county’s top administrator. Pending her acceptance of the position and successful completion of a background check, Chavez plans to relocate east by January, coinciding with the end of her current supervisorial term.
Bernalillo County, home to Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, boasts a population of 672,000. As county manager, Chavez would oversee its operations and management, including health services, housing, and public works.
When contacted by San José Spotlight, Chavez declined to comment on her nomination and the recent vote.
Since 2013, Chavez has represented District 2 on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and is concluding her final term this year. She emerged as one of three finalists for the Bernalillo County position, alongside Marcos Gonzalez, the county’s Economic Development Director, and Joseph Lesard, former city manager of Ashland, Oregon.
Vice Chair Eric Olivas remarked on the challenging decision, stating, “While we were fortunate to have three highly talented individuals to choose from, it also made our decision difficult. Ms. Cindy Chavez has demonstrated outstanding leadership in San Jose and Santa Clara County, where she currently resides, and she also understands our local culture and community.”
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Chair Barbara Bacas mentioned that finalizing the appointment hinges on a background check and contract negotiations. Bernalillo County hosted a special public meeting on June 18, where residents provided feedback and posed questions to the three finalists, including Chavez.
Chavez made an unsuccessful bid for San Jose’s mayoral seat for the second time in November 2022, capping off a decades-long political career in Silicon Valley. She served eight years on the San Jose City Council after her 1998 election win, and in her final year, she was appointed vice mayor before contesting the city’s top office against former Mayor Chuck Reed in 2006. From 2009 to 2013, she held the positions of executive director at the South Bay Labor Council and Working Partnerships USA.
Earlier this year, Chavez pursued a position as San Diego’s top administrator but faced challenges in securing adequate support.
Throughout her career, Chavez has garnered endorsements from notable figures including former President Bill Clinton, Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo, and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta. She has received backing from numerous local progressive leaders and has also garnered support from moderate elected officials across party lines.
