Candidate Training

Hosted by San Mateo County Democratic Party and Santa Clara County Democratic Party 

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 and Councilmember, 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 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 

San Mateo County Democratic Party   https://www.smcdems.org/

Paid for by the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee. FEC ID # C00409359, FPPC ID #882509