Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, District 1

What does a county supervisor do? 

Supervisors govern county programs and departments and approve the county budget. Their largest area of spending is traditionally healthcare and human services. Supervisors are also responsible for local jails and elections, and they make decisions on law enforcement and housing in unincorporated areas of the county. If a supervisor candidate receives over 50% of the vote in the primary, they take office for a four-year term. Otherwise, the top two candidates face off in the November general election.

Candidate Statements

Candidate Statements are excerpted from the statements provided to election offices, where available.

Rebecca Munson

  • Educator, school board member  
  • Housing: “I am dedicated to tackling our housing affordability crisis with practical, financially sound, and community-informed solutions that increase supply without compromising our neighborhoods or local character.”
  • Homelessness: “I will expand access to mental health and substance abuse treatment … Increase transitional and supportive housing with clear accountability standards … prioritize prevention: eviction assistance, family stabilization, rental aid, and proactive outreach.”
  • Public safety: “I am committed to balanced public safety policies that keep our communities secure and safe, addressing root causes of crime through collaboration with city council members from all South County cities.”

Sylvia Arenas

  • Santa Clara County supervisor
  • Accomplishments: “I led efforts to address the housing crisis, building more affordable homes and rentals, expanded homeless shelters and mental health programs, secured $15 million to expand childcare … and launched the County Office of Economic Development to support farms and small businesses, while balancing the budget and investing in public safety.”
  • Child protection: “When I saw the broken Child Services system was failing children with fatal results, I took immediate action, passing needed reforms to keep kids safe. I’m proud of the progress, but we’re just getting started.”
  • Ongoing challenges: “Too many families are struggling with the high cost of living, that’s getting more expensive because of Trump’s tariffs, ICE raids, and wars. … I’ll keep focusing on solutions: building housing people can afford, protecting healthcare, and standing up to federal policies that hurt our economy and rip families apart.”

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