Leo Cortez

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Leo Cortez

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

San José State University, 1992

Personal

Profession

Human resources

Leo Cortez ran in a special election to the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Board to represent Trustee Area 3 in California. Cortez lost in the special general election on November 8, 2022.

Cortez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Leo Cortez's professional experience includes working in human resources and as an educator. He earned a bachelor's degree from San Jose State University in 1992.

Cortez has been affiliated with the San Jose State University Alumni Association.

Elections

2022

See also: Municipal elections in Santa Clara County, California (2022)

General election

Special general election for San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Trustee Area 3

Incumbent Tony Alexander defeated Leo Cortez in the special general election for San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Trustee Area 3 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Tony Alexander (Nonpartisan)	65.5	20,108
		Leo Cortez (Nonpartisan)	34.5	10,608

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 30,716
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Leo Cortez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cortez's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a first generation college graduate who attended community college as a starting point. I Completed my BA and Masters degree at San Jose State University. I was a teacher and vice principal for 10 years in k-12, and I have spent the last 20 years in the high tech sector. This gives me a unique perspective of how the education system impacts employability. I want to bring this unique perspective to the board of trustees. I know the district through my involvement as the Chair of the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee and the Chair of EOPS/CARE industry advisory board in the past 10 years.

My Commitment: Hire a chancellor who focuses on increasing our student enrollment and understands the needs of our community. Collaborate with my peers to create a new progressive seven plan for the district, where dual enrollment is as accessible as an app on a phone. Engage students and community to build a college district that offers more opportunities for our community (apprenticeships, certifications, career transition support)

I ask for your support on November 8, vote Leo Cortez for SJECCD Trustee. Area 3.

Join community leaders supporting my candidacy.

(partial list) Raul Perales, San Jose City Councilmember Anthony Phan, Milpitas City Councilmember and Mayoral Candidate Sylvia Arenas, San Jose City Councilmember and County Supervisor Candidate

Sergio Jimenez, San Jose City Councilmember

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Provide a 21st Century education for our community through programs and facilites
• Dual Enrollment for our middle school and high school student population to close the education gap
• Engage community leaders and industry to collaborate on apprenticeships and transition programs

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Providing equity for all sector of the community. In this role as Trustee, it would be to ensure we are providing equity in access, programs and opportunities for our community.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2022 Elections

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