Candidate for
Council Member, 1; City of San Jose; Council District 1

San Jose Planning Commission Chair Jay James combines real world experience with a detailed knowledge of issues facing San Jose's neighborhoods. A long time resident of west San Jose, Jay has developed a well deserved reputation as a leader within the San Jose community, through his career and volunteer work.

As Chair of the Planning Commission, Jay has overseen assessments of the serious land use issues facing the city. Under his leadership, the Commission has made countless recommendations to the City Council on how to act on these issues. His service on the Commission for the last six years has been an integral part of the city's smart growth strategy.

Jay James has worked in the electrical industry for more than four decades. Working his way up from apprentice electrician, Jay recently retired as a business agent with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 332. He is also the former two-term President of the Santa Clara and San Benito County Building Trades Council. During his tenure, the Trades Council worked to advance workplace safety, economic conditions, and job security for all men and women involved in the industry.

In his role as a commissioner, business agent and a tradesman working with private industry, Jay has learned first hand that labor and business must work together to acheive excellent outcomes for business, workers and the community.

Jay James has been an active participant in numerous community-based organizations designed to improve the local community. Some of these groups include the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers, the City of San Jose's Green Building Task Force, the County of Santa Clara's Persons with Disabilities Advisory Commission, the Silicon Valley Solar Consortium, the Mineta San Jose International Airport Noise Monitoring Commission, and the Warriors for Peace organization- a group of dedicated men working to end violence against women.

Jay and his wife, Patti, have six adult children and twelve grandchildren.