She has represented District 2 on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors since 2013 and will be terming out this year. She was one of the three finalists for the position, alongside Bernalillo County’s Economic Development Director Marcos Gonzalez and Joe Lessard, the former city manager of Ashland, Oregon.

Supervisor Sylvia Arenas echoed the sentiment of others, expressing excitement about how Bernalillo County residents would benefit from Chavez’s advocacy and experience. She added that the board will continue to address the various issues Chavez championed, such as transit and foster care.

Chavez ran unsuccessfully for the San Jose mayoral seat for the second time in November 2022, and her political career in Silicon Valley spans several decades. She served on the San Jose City Council for eight years after being elected in 1998 and was appointed vice mayor in her final year before running for mayor against former Mayor Chuck Reed in 2006. She also served as executive director of the South Bay Labor Council and Working Partnerships USA from 2009 to 2013.

Chavez attempted to leave Silicon Valley earlier this year for a top administrative role in San Diego but did not gain enough support.

Throughout her career, Chavez has received endorsements from former President Bill Clinton, Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo, and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta. She was supported by numerous local progressive leaders and managed to secure backing from more moderate elected officials as well.

Supervisor Susan Ellenberg remarked that Chavez’s legacy in Santa Clara County is particularly notable for the broad impact she has had across various issues, including housing, transportation, children’s health, and domestic violence.

“That skill will be extremely valuable, even more so than as an elected official, where we have some discretion in choosing where to focus,” Ellenberg told San Jose Spotlight. “As a county executive, you have to focus on the board’s priorities. My guess is that whatever priorities the Bernalillo commissioners set, she will likely already have relevant experience.”