Silicon Valley Young Democrats Quarterly Newsletter V.1

This summer, SVYD teamed up with the Santa Clara County Democratic Party to host an engaging “Hot Ones” event, bringing together younger Democrats for a fun and fiery night. Over hot wings and an interactive Q&A, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from local elected officials, including Assemblymember Alex Lee. The event was not just about the spice, but about sparking important conversations around civic engagement and the importance of young Democrats turning out to vote in local elections.

Additionally, SVYD held its Summer Fundraiser at Guildhouse, a night that showcased the overwhelming support from our community. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors like IBEW Local 322, Ash Kalra for Assembly District 25, and SEIU 1021, the event was a major success in kickstarting our fundraising efforts for the year. With a large attendance of members, candidates, and local elected officials, we were able to raise significant funds to support our endorsed candidates. The night featured inspiring speeches from our President, Jaria Jaug, our Political Director, Kadence Walker, and Santa Clara County Supervisor candidate, Betty Duong, all of whom spoke to the importance of supporting local leadership.

On top of that, the event also featured a Mario Kart tournament, creating a fun and competitive atmosphere for attendees to enjoy. It was a fantastic night of drinks, networking, and community building, as we came together to share our collective vision for the future of Santa Clara County. With the momentum from this event, SVYD is ready to continue supporting the candidates and issues that matter most to our members.

Additionally, SVYD members showed up in full force, volunteering their time to knock on doors for several local campaigns across Santa Clara County. From supporting Pamela Campos for San Jose City Council District 2, to advocating for Betty Duong for Santa Clara County Supervisor, Domingo Candelas for San Jose City Council District 8, and Erik Poicon for Mountain View City Council, our members were committed to elevating the voices of progressive candidates in our communities.

Each canvass provided opportunities to connect with voters, listen to their concerns, and rally support for local leaders who share SVYD’s values.

Most recently, SVYD hosted its first canvass for the November General Election, supporting Katie Causey for Palo Alto City Council. As we gear up for the final months leading into Election Day,  we’ll be walking for our endorsed candidates every weekend until November 5th—follow us to stay updated on all our canvassing efforts!

Assemblymember Marc Berman from District 23 hosted the annual youth town hall in Mountain View, CA City Hall Council Chambers on Saturday, Aug. 17 gathering youth opinions from all over the district area. 

Notably, this was the first in-person town hall to take place in Berman’s district since the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the town hall began, organizations such as the Pacific Beach Coalition, The LGBTQ Youth Space and the Associated Students of West Valley College tabled and informed young attendees about local politics, advocacy, and opportunities to get involved in the community.

Beginning with introductory statements from Sonia Dholakia—one of the District 23 Office interns—Berman presented some of the pressing issues that he is representing in the State Assembly to the audience of middle school, high school, and college students. 

These problems included legislative policies on artificial intelligence affecting children’s safety and protecting voters and elected officials, requiring California State Universities and requesting Universities of California to have ballot boxes on their campuses, and advocating for free tuition for the West Valley-Mission Community College District. 

He also touched on past successful initiatives and bills including lowering greenhouse gas emissions for gas powered single-use engines (lawnmowers, leaf blowers, etc.), advocating for gun safety and farm worker basic needs. 

A follow-up Q&A session with Berman allowed audience members to voice some of their biggest concerns on issues facing the community.

Harry Neil, a college student and public transit advocate, asked if Berman would be able to advocate for long-term operating funding for public transit, if the California budget recovers. Other students asked questions about Berman’s early career and how he discovered his passion for politics at the state-wide level.

Additionally, The Youth Town Hall schedule continued with a panel of young high school and college students in leadership and influential positions within their communities, moderated by Berman.

Zara Ainge, Student Trustee of Foothill College, talked about some of the main issues as to why young people may be discouraged to get involved in politics.

“A lot of people see that there’s a disconnect and so I think if more youth are able to know that their voice does make an impact and people will listen to them, then they’ll be able to get more involved and also to be reached by the people making those informed decisions” said Ainge.

Cassidy Watson, Vice Chair of the San Mateo County Youth Commission, shared that “making sure that you know that your voice matters, even if you’re not getting as big of a success you can write down on paper right away, there are successes that come in half a step.”

In addition to youth advocacy, the panelists shared some of their key election initiatives that they hoped to be achieved in the coming months. Sophia Commisso, Campbell Civic Improvement Commissioner, expressed her interest in lowering the age limit to vote while other panelists mentioned increasing nonpartisan infographics and encouraging youth to volunteer for nonprofit organizations.

After the discussion, more audience members continued to inquire about public transit, housing, retail shoplifting bills, banned books and sexual violence to the panelists as well as Assemblymember Berman. 

“For people who cannot vote yet, you can still play a massive role in your community and your democracy,” Berman expressed to youth. “When you see an issue that’s happening in your community that you care about, you come right here… it’s a breath of fresh air.” 

“Don’t underestimate how powerful that is and make sure that you use that power. Because when young people show up and speak to us, we stop and we listen” said Berman.
You can virtually watch the recording of Marc Berman’s 2024 Youth Town Hall here on YouTube.

As the state legislative session ended a few weeks ago, it’s an ideal moment to reflect on the impactful legislation authored by Silicon Valley lawmakers that is now awaiting the governor’s signature. These bills, many of which resonate strongly with young, progressive Democrats, address critical issues like housing affordability, tenant protections, environmental sustainability, education, and LGBTQ+ rights. Silicon Valley’s legislators have been champions for bold, transformative policies, and their proposed legislation reflects the shared priorities of our community—especially the priorities voiced by the Silicon Valley Young Democrats (SVYD).

SVYD has long advocated for progressive change across key policy areas, with a focus on ensuring access to affordable housing, building a just and sustainable public transportation infrastructure, supporting union efforts for better working conditions, supporting educational equity, and protecting civil rights for historically marginalized communities. These priorities mirror the region’s urgent needs, especially as Silicon Valley grapples with the soaring cost of living, ongoing climate crises, and social justice issues. 

As we look at the bills currently awaiting the governor’s signature, we can see the influence of these priorities in the work of local legislators. Below is a breakdown of the bills from Assemblymembers Marc Berman, Evan Low, Ash Kalra, Alex Lee, and Gail Pellerin, as well as State Senators Josh Becker, Aisha Wahab, and Dave Cortese, that are expected to have a substantial impact on our region and align with the values of young progressives.

At this year’s annual Victory Dinner, the Santa Clara County Democratic Party recognized the Silicon Valley Young Democrats (SVYD) as the Democratic Club of the Year. It was a remarkable moment for our club, and a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of our members. The award was a recognition not only of the leadership of our past president, Erik Poicon, but also of the many young Democrats who show up week after week, canvassing, phone banking, and championing progressive causes in Santa Clara County.

This year’s Victory Dinner was different. Compared to previous years, the presence of young Democrats was more prominent than ever before. Many of us, in various fields like tech, law, education, and public service, attended not just as observers, but as leaders. Our members stood out in the crowd, not only for our numbers but for our impact. We have grown into the largest California Young Democrats chapter in the Bay Area region, and our efforts are being felt across campaigns and local issues alike.

It’s important to note that this recognition is not just about SVYD’s executive board or past leadership. This award belongs to every member who has knocked on doors for our endorsed candidates, made phone calls during critical elections, and showed up to community events. Our club has worked tirelessly to support leaders who reflect our values, and the recognition from the Santa Clara County Democratic Party is a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together. As we continue to grow, the dedication of our membership will remain at the heart of our work, and together, we will push forward toward even greater progress.

This summer, SVYD members had the incredible opportunity to attend the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago as delegates, joining fellow young Democrats from across the country. The event brought together a diverse group of passionate and engaged individuals, all united by a common goal: to ensure a strong voter turnout in November and work toward the collective success of the Democratic Party.

Delegates returned feeling both empowered and inspired to rally their communities. As SVYD member and Los Gatos City Councilmember Rob Moore noted, “This year’s DNC was truly unlike anything I have seen before in politics. The energy, patriotism, and commitment to doing the work required to win from everyone there made me feel more optimistic about our politics than I have in a long time.”

Jo Nguyen, San Jose Parks and Recreation Commissioner and fellow DNC delegate, echoed the call to action with their own takeaways from the convention.

“Being witness to the Democratic National Convention as a Delegate was an absolutely electric experience. The energy, passion, and sense of purpose at such a historic event was incredibly awe-inspiring. It was an honor to represent my community especially at the age of 22 and see monumental figures like the Obama and Clinton’s advocate for Vice President Kamala Harris on the national stage … I was proud to be there, representing young democrats, and proving that age and experience shouldn’t be barriers to having a voice in shaping our future.”

As we approach November, it’s clear that every effort—whether through canvassing, phone banking, or simply spreading the word—can make a difference in the outcome of this critical election.

SVYD believes in the power of young voices shaping the future of our community, and our mission is to support progressive leaders and policies that reflect the values of young Democrats in Santa Clara County. With election season upon us, we are working tirelessly to support our endorsed candidates who share our commitment to affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and social justice. To do that, we need your support to ensure that these candidates have the resources they need to win and represent our community effectively. Your contributions, no matter how small, will make a difference in amplifying the voices of young people in local politics.

Our membership is as diverse as the issues we advocate for. From students to policy staffers, labor organizers to teachers, tech workers to healthcare professionals, we all come from different walks of life, yet we are united by a shared vision for a better, more equitable future. Whether it’s fighting for affordable housing, advocating for climate justice, promoting LGBTQ+ rights, or working toward racial and economic equity, SVYD members are dedicated to making tangible change in Santa Clara County and beyond. These issues aren’t just political talking points for us—they are personal, and they are urgent.

As we continue to grow and take on new challenges, fundraising has become a crucial part of our efforts to empower young leaders. By supporting SVYD, you are helping us ensure that the next generation of political leaders and activists have a seat at the table. Your donation helps us hold events, organize canvassing efforts, and host educational programs that equip young Democrats with the tools and knowledge to make an impact. We want to ensure that our candidates and issues remain front and center in our community, and we can’t do it without your help.

We hope you will consider joining us in this effort by contributing to SVYD today. Together, we can uplift young voices, champion progressive change, and create a brighter future for everyone in Santa Clara County. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our shared values.