Scott Sakakihara, a Democrat and a city councilmember in Union City, is one of the candidates for Senate District 10, located in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The district includes cities and unincorporated areas in two counties:
Alameda County — Fairview, Fremont, Hayward, Newark, Union City
Santa Clara County — Alum Rock, East Foothills, Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale
The district is currently represented by Assistant Majority Leader Dr. Aisha Wahab, who is running for Congress. She became the first Afghan American woman elected to public office in the U.S., serving on the Hayward City Council and later as mayor pro tem.
Sakakihara’s website provided the following biography:
“Councilmember Scott Sakakihara comes from a family of farm and produce workers and civil engineers. All four of his grandparents were sent to Japanese [American] internment camps in California during World War II, including Manzanar. One of his grandfathers was given the option to join the military, and he decided to enlist, to give his family a better future when they finally got to leave the camps.
“Scott grew up in Union City and attended local public schools. He met his wife, Melinda, in elementary school when they were both six years old. Growing up, he loved how the Bay Area was a place with so many opportunities for kids and families from every background.
“After graduating from UC San Diego in two years, Scott attended Harvard Law, where he was the political chair of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and a member of the Harvard Journal on Legislation.
“He graduated with honors, then earned internships and fellowships in the offices of Congressmembers Pete Stark and Mazie Hirono – and ultimately had the chance to serve and learn in the Obama White House. There, he researched the positions and priorities of critical political players while the administration was working to pass the Affordable Care Act …
“Serving in an intelligence role with the U.S. Navy Reserve, Scott led an intelligence team supporting special operations for eight months in the Middle East in 2021.
“He has also managed multiple departments in a naval warfare analysis unit. In the Navy, Scott and his fellow officers live by a commitment to leave nobody behind. He believes we could do well as a society to live by these same words …
“Scott served on the Union City Planning Commission, where he fought to build more affordable housing. He ran for Union City Council to help make sure the city that raised him provides the same opportunities for future generations. He finds it incredibly rewarding to be able to solve problems that make his neighbors’ lives better.
“As a Union City councilmember and former vice mayor, Scott has led: Fighting to house everyone … Delivering real public safety … Protecting workers and small businesses … Making a local difference on climate … Standing up for our diverse communities …
“Scott also serves as an elected member of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, with the Lions Club of Union City, and on a statewide League of California Cities policy committee. He is a proud member of the Japanese American Citizens League …
“Scott spent nearly a decade as the chief of staff of the finance department for a major Silicon Valley tech company. He helped manage a $1.8 billion budget and a team of more than 100 staff. He has a deep understanding of the strengths of tech, as well as its limits and its need for regulation and strong oversight.
“Scott will work tirelessly in the State Senate to build a safe and sustainable future for our kids that is worthy of the promise of our great state. Scott and Melinda – a public school teacher – have been married since 2013. They have three young children – ages 7, 5, and 2. Their oldest two children attend the same public elementary school where Scott and Melinda first met as kids. Scott is a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors, and is currently learning piano.”
Endorsers include Rep. Mark Takano, former Rep. Mike Honda, Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaii, Assemblymembers Jessica Caloza, Mike Fong and Stephanie Nguyen, former Assemblymember Phil Ting, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, Alameda County Assessor Phong La, Alameda County Supervisor Lena Tam, Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii, Oakland City Councilmember Charlene Wang, San Leandro City Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen, Union City Councilmember Lance Nishihira, California AAPI Legislative Caucus, Alameda County APA Democratic Caucus, and Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club.
The other Democrats in the race are Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano, San Jose City Councilmember David Cohen, Fremont City Councilmember Raymond Liu, and West Valley-Mission Community College District Trustee Anne Kepner. The lone Republican candidate is businesswoman Linda Price.
The top two finishers in the primary will advance to the November general election.