Sam T. Liccardo

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Sam T. Liccardo[1]
 District 3 Councilmember
In office
2007 – 2011
Preceded by Cindy Chavez
Political party Democratic
Profession Councilmember / Politician / District Attorney

Sam T. Liccardo, 36, was elected onto the San José City Council in November 2006 replacing termed out Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez. Prior to his election in November of 2006, he served as a prosecutor of sexual assault and child exploitation crimes in the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.

Liccardo's family has a long history in downtown San Jose, where three of his grandparents spent much of their lives. One grandfather, Ted Aceves, grew up downtown, and Liccardo's mother, Laura, attended Notre Dame High. His paternal grandparents, Rosalie and Samuel A. Liccardo, lived in the district for decades, and for many years, they ran the Notre Dame Market, a fixture to long-time downtown residents. His father, Salvador, also grew up in the district and attended Bellarmine.

An avid triathlete, Liccardo was honored by the USA Triathlon Association with "All American" status in its 2005 rankings of amateur triathletes in the United States.

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[edit] Education

  • Liccardo attended Bellarmine College Preparatory in San José, Ca., and received a bachelor's degree at Georgetown University, majoring in government with an economics minor. He was captain of the men's heavyweight crew at Georgetown.
  • After graduation from Georgetown, Liccardo obtained a law degree from Harvard Law School and a Masters Degree in Public Policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.


[edit] Election to the San José City Council

Liccardo was elected over a heavily favored opponent, former District 5 City Councilmember & California State Assemblymember Manny J. Diaz, but Liccardo defeated Diaz by over 20 points in the November 7, 2006 election. He succeeded former Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez who served two terms.

Liccardo's campaign was successful largely because of the strong neighborhood support he received--including 23 neighborhood association presidents throughout the District. He also was a tireless campaigner, walking nearly all the 50 precincts in the City Council District.

During the campaign, Diaz was criticized heavily by neighborhood leaders for his professional lobbying efforts since he left the State Assembly. In particular, Diaz claimed that he was "on leave" from his lobbying practice and that he was not lobbying for a railroad interest against stricter clean air emissions.

[edit] Policy Issue Areas on the City Council

  • Councilmember Liccardo has been on the forefront for Immigrant Rights since elected onto the City Council in January of 2007. He drafted a successful resolution supporting immigrant rights & public safety.
  • Liccardo has also made affordable housing a major priority, proposing the San Jose's first inclusionary zoning policy outside of its redevelopment areas. That initiative remains under consideration by the entire Council.

[edit] Personal

Liccardo resides in Downtown San José.

[edit] External links