Candidate Training Series, The Basics

Are you considering a run for office?

San Mateo County Democratic Party and Santa Clara County Democratic Party are hosting the 2026 Candidate Training.

Register for all sessions here.

‘The 2026 Candidate Training offers these five sessions. To receive a Certificate, attend four or more.

Campaigns 101 (APRIL 24, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)

  • Day Chair:  Alicia Aguirre, Former City Councilmember, Redwood City
  • Josh Becker, State Senator
  • Jessica McNabb Speiser, Santa Clara County Board of Education
  • Gene Kim, San Mateo Foster City School District & Campaign Consultant
  • Marcella Padilla, City Councilmember, Redwood City

Campaign Requirements (MAY 1, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)

  • Day Chair: Bill James, Santa Clara County Democratic Party Chair
  • Jordan Eldridge, Eldridge Political Partners LLC
  • Martin McTaggart, City of San Mateo City Clerk
  • FPPC Trainer, California Fair Political Practices Commission

Building a Winning Campaign Team & Message (May 8, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)

  • Day Chair: Gina Papan, Former Mayor, Millbrae
  • Donna Colson, City Council, Burlingame
  • Lisa Gauthier, San Mateo County Supervisor, District 4
  • Clayton Koo, Former School Board Trustee

How to Seek Endorsements (MAY 15, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)

  • Day Chair: Karen Maki, San Mateo County Democratic Party Chair
  • Julie Lind, Executive Officer, San Mateo County Central Labor Council
  • Nicole Fernandez, San Mateo City Councilmember
  • Barbara Dye, Coastside Democrats President

Crafting Key Issues & Research to Reach Diverse Audiences (MAY 22, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)

  • Day Chair:  Ligia Andrade Zúñiga, San Mateo Union High School District Trustee and Kalimah Salahuddin, Former Jefferson Union High District Board Trustee
  • Danielle Cwirko-Godycki, San Mateo City Councilmember
  • Andy Lie, Jefferson Union High District Board Trustee
  • Noelia Corzo, San Mateo County Supervisor, District 2
  • Manufou Anoai, Former Daly City School District Board Trustee

March 2026 Central Committee Special Recap

On Thursday, March 19, 2026, the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee took the following actions:

March 2026 Central Committee Recap

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee took the following actions:

February 2026 Central Committee Recap

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee took the following actions:

Endorsement Process

Attention Democrats!

The Santa Clara County Democratic Party has the sole authority to confer an official Democratic Party endorsement on Democrats running for nonpartisan office in local and county races and local and county ballot initiatives within Santa Clara County. 

All endorsements are made in accordance with SCCDP bylaws, based on the adopted party platform, and include a “no endorsement” option.

For details, follow THIS LINK.

Candidate Panel, Tom Steyer & Michael Tubbs

The Silicon Valley Democratic Club, Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats, Orchard City Indivisible, and South Bay Swing Left invite you to join them for a Candidate Panel featuring Tom Steyer, candidate for Governor and Michael Tubbs, candidate for Lieutenant Governor on February 10, 2026.  Doors open at 6:30 PM and the program begins at 7:00 PM.

For location details, RSVP to: BIT.LY/FEB10FORUM

Announcement of this event does not constitute endorsement of any candidate by SCCDP.