Dave Cortese

Last updated
Dave Cortese
Dave Cortese 2020 Headshot.jpg
Member of the California State Senate
from the 15th district
Majority Whip
Assumed office
December 7, 2020
Education University of California, Davis
Lincoln Law School
Committees- Senate Transportation Committee, Chair

- Senate Ethics Committee, Chair

- Senate Agriculture Committee

- Senate Education Committee

- Senate Housing Committee

- Senate Insurance Committee

- Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee

Contents

- Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture

- Joint Committee on Rules
Website https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

David Dominic Cortese (born June 3, 1956) is an elected official from San Jose, California. He is currently serving in the California State Senate, representing District 15, which encompasses a majority of Santa Clara County. Before being elected to the California State Senate, Cortese served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for 12 years, as a Councilmember and Vice Mayor for the City of San Jose [2] for eight years, and for eight years as a trustee for the East Side Union High School District [3] in San Jose. Cortese ran for mayor of San Jose and won the primary, losing the general election to District 3 councilmember Sam Liccardo. [4]

Early life and education

Cortese was born on born June 3, 1956. [5] He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory high school (1970–1974). He received his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Davis and graduated from Lincoln Law School (1991–1995). [6]

Personal life

Cortese is the son of former Santa Clara County Supervisor and California Assembly member Dominic L. Cortese and Suzanne Cortese. Cortese's paternal grandfather, Vince Cortese Sr., was an immigrant farmer from Sicily [7] who found success in agriculture and commercial development. His maternal grandfather, Ed Donovan, was a civic leader and executive of General Motors Credit Corp. who served as a Santa Clara City Councilman in 1949 and 1950. [8] Dave Cortese and his wife, Pattie, who serves on the East Side Union High School District Board, have four children.

Cortese creates the Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club in 2009 Cortese creates the Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club in 2009.jpg
Cortese creates the Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club in 2009

In 1986, following a successful tenure as a professional financial manager within a prominent corporation, Cortese assumed the role of general manager for a collection of enterprises in ranching and real estate. These enterprises have historical roots tracing back to their establishment in the Valley in 1917. His professional journey includes business endeavors involving the sale of agricultural produce, stewardship of a substantial multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio, construction, ownership of a dining establishments, and a private law practice. [9]

Political career

Cortese’s leadership positions include serving as Vice Mayor of the City of San Jose, Board President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Board President of the East Side Union High School District Board, Chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), President of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), President of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), President of the Santa Clara County Cities Association (SCCCA), Founder of the Joint Policy Collaborative for Economic Development, Chair of the California Senate Labor, Public Employment & Retirement Committee, President of the San Jose East-Evergreen Rotary Club, Board of Directors for the East Valley YMCA, The Tech Interactive, Parents Helping Parents, and several other nonprofits, as well as a Founding Member of East Valley Girls Softball. [10]

For over a decade, Cortese has hosted the Day on the Bay multicultural resource and health fair Day on the Bay - 2014.jpg
For over a decade, Cortese has hosted the Day on the Bay multicultural resource and health fair

Gun control

Housing and homelessness

Climate

Transportation

Children, families, and seniors

Cortese greets community members in 2013 Cortese greets community members in 2013.jpg
Cortese greets community members in 2013

Education

Cortese speaks to San Jose students Cortese speaks to San Jose students.jpg
Cortese speaks to San Jose students

Justice and equity

See also

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References

  1. "David Dominic Cortese Profile | Morgan Hill, CA Lawyer". martindale.com. Retrieved Feb 2, 2023.
  2. "Home". sanjoseca.gov.
  3. "Home". esuhsd.org.
  4. Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters
  5. "JoinCalifornia - Dave Cortese". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  6. "Dave Cortese's home base on San Jose's East Side". 28 April 2014.
  7. "Herhold: How the Cortese family ascended on San Jose's East side". 28 September 2014.
  8. "Herhold: How the Cortese family ascended on San Jose's East side". San Jose Mercury News. September 28, 2014. (subscription required)
  9. "Full Biography for Dave Cortese. Dave Cortese Biography". May 18, 2006.
  10. "Full Biography for Dave Cortese. Dave Cortese Biography". May 18, 2006.
  11. "Board Approves Ordinance Requiring Safe Storage of Firearms in Homes" (PDF). November 19, 2019.
  12. "Board Oks Developing Plan for Ridding Households of Unwanted Guns" (PDF). November 20, 2018.
  13. "Senate District 15 Website. Dave Cortese Biography". August 10, 2023.
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  21. "Cortese: Crossing guards coming soon to provide safer passage for bicyclists, pedestrians". Mercury News. October 9, 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2023. (subscription required)
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  27. "New Human Trafficking Task Force already hard at work". ABC 7 San Francisco. San Jose. October 2, 2014.
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