After two attempts to leave Silicon Valley, a South Bay political figure has been tapped to lead a county hundreds of miles away in New Mexico.
Elected leaders in Bernalillo County chose Santa Clara Supervisor Cindy Chavez to be the county’s top administrator in a split 3-2 vote Tuesday. If she accepts the job and passes a background check, Chavez will pack her bags and move east in January, when her term as supervisor ends.
Bernalillo County has a population of 672,000 and is home to Albuquerque, the state’s largest city. As county administrator, Chavez would oversee its management and operations, including health services, housing and public works.
Chavez told San José Spotlight that he would not comment on the nomination or vote on Tuesday.
He has represented District 2 on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors since 2013 and his term will end this year. She was among two other finalists, Bernalillo County Economic Development Director Marcos González and Joseph Lesard, former city manager of Ashland, Oregon.
“While I think it’s a blessing to have three very talented people at the table to choose from, it’s also been a curse because it’s a very difficult decision,” said Vice President Eric Olivas. “I think Ms. Cindy Chavez has shown incredible leadership in San José, in Santa Clara County, where she currently resides, but she also knows our local culture, our local community.”
President Barbara Bacas said the appointment will depend on a background check and contract negotiations. Bernalillo County held a special public meeting on June 18 for residents to make public comments and ask questions of the three finalists, including Chavez.
Chavez ran unsuccessfully for San Jose mayor for a second time in November, and his political career in Silicon Valley spans decades. Chavez served on the San José City Council for eight years after winning election in 1998. The council appointed her vice mayor in her final year before running for the city’s top job against former Mayor Chuck Reed in 2006. She also She served as an executive. She was director of the South Bay Labor Council and Working Partnerships USA from 2009 to 2013.
Chavez attempted to leave Silicon Valley earlier this year to work as a senior administrator in San Diego – but could not secure enough support.
Throughout his career, Chávez has garnered the support of former President Bill Clinton, Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo, as well as former US Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta. She was endorsed by dozens of local progressive leaders and was even able to reach across the aisle and gain the support of more moderate elected officials.
This story will be updated.
Contact B. Sakura Cannestra at [email protected] or @SakuCannestra on X, formerly known as Twitter
