Senator Dave Cortese

07/29/2026

The 283-acre Mines Fire along the Mount Hamilton Range that broke out Sunday afternoon is now 35% contained thanks to the extraordinary efforts of CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit and our local first responders. The fire is located in the most rural part of my 15th Senate District. Cal FIRE hopes to have the fire fully contained within the next 2-3 days.

Since the fire broke out, I've been closely monitoring the situation and remain in contact with emergency officials. This is the same mountain range that endured one of California's largest wildfires in state history in 2020, making this latest response all the more significant.

The containment figure dropped after the blaze jumped a control line.

07/28/2026

Join me at this year’s Silicon Valley PRIDE Parade, on Sunday, August 30th, 2026!

Hosted annually by Silicon Valley PRIDE (Silicon Valley PRIDE), this year’s parade celebrates 51 years of marching for love, diversity, and equality. Register to join me at www.tinyurl.com/ctzxk636 or through the link in my bio! I hope to see you there! 🏳️‍🌈

07/26/2026

My staff, Phuong Nguyen and Zach Contini, are tabling today until 3PM at the Sunday Friends Foundation Community Day event at the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, where they are providing essential state resources to families.

Sunday Friends has served thousands of San Jose residents over 26 years, empowering underserved families with basic necessities, food, and educational classes year-round.

Stop by today’s event if you get the chance at 1400 Parkmoor Ave, San Jose!

07/25/2026

My office was welcomed today to the Gilroy Picnic in the Park for Autism Awareness, hosted by Jay Nolan Community Services, at Christmas Hill Park.

For over 50 years, JNCS has provided support services to children and adults with autism. Thank you to Regional Director Micaylah Stewart and her team, for your dedication to our community!

My District Director, Michelle Pelayo-Osorio, attended and presented Certificates of Recognition on my behalf.

07/25/2026

Today is Swimmable California Day, a day proclaimed by the State Legislature to recognize every Californian’s right to clean waterways and beaches. Continued investment into watersheds and safe public access is crucial to healthy communities and thriving ecosystems. Let’s continue working together to protect our rivers, lakes, beaches, and coastlines!

07/25/2026

It was an incredible honor to speak at the 44th Annual Italian Family Festa Opening Ceremony today at History Park, hosted by the Italian American Heritage Foundation and dedicated to the late Rod Diridon, Sr. As a proud Sicilian descendant, it is remarkable to see their continued work strengthening Italian heritage in San Jose and beyond.

I presented Certificates of Recognition to IAHF President Dana Zuccarello Aguirre and the Faenza Sbandieratori group, and a Senate Resolution to Rod Diridon, Sr., accepted posthumously by his family.

I encourage everyone to stop by the Festa, which will carry on all weekend!

07/19/2026

My office had the pleasure of celebrating culture and community at today’s 42nd Annual Taiwanese and Chinese American Athletic Tournament (TCAAT) Opening Ceremony, hosted by the Taiwanese & Chinese American Athletic Tournament Association of the San Francisco Bay Area.

My staff, Mariam Ghallab and Leyla Rivera, attended and presented a Certificate of Recognition on my behalf.

07/18/2026

My District Representative, Meghan Bedi, was honored to speak on today’s Career Panel, hosted by the Silicon Valley Urban Debate League, where she discussed the work of our office and her experience in government & public service. My District Intern, Leyla Rivera, was also in attendance.

Thank you to the SVUDL team and CEO Rolland Janairo for uplifting the voices and guiding the development of young people across Senate District 15 and beyond.

07/12/2026

What a great time spent at this year’s Obon Festival hosted by the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in Japantown! The Obon festival is a time to honor and remember those who came before us.

My District Representative, Mariam Ghallab, and District Intern, Rachel Aguilar, attended and presented the organizers a Senate Certificate of Recognition commemorating the event.

07/08/2026

It was devastating to hear of the recent theft and vandalism of San Jose’s Vietnam War Memorial Statue at the Vietnamese Heritage Garden in Kelley Park on June 22nd. The statue was not only a symbol of the historic collaboration between the US and South Vietnam, but a declaration of support to our Vietnamese American community here in Senate District 15.

I am grateful to the San Jose Police Department for their swift response. While the statue has since been recovered, the perpetrator has yet to be identified and held accountable. San Jose community member, Hai Huynh, has offered a monetary sum in the amount of $20,000 for anyone who is able to identify the perpetrator. For any leads or additional information, please contact Hai at 408-313-3766 and the San José Police Department Financial Crimes Unit via email: [email protected] or 408-277-4521.
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Thật đau lòng khi hay tin về vụ trộm cắp và phá hoại Tượng đài Chiến tranh Việt Nam tại Vườn Di sản Việt Nam (thuộc Công viên Kelley, San Jose) vào ngày 22 tháng 6 vừa qua. Bức tượng này không chỉ là biểu tượng cho sự hợp tác lịch sử giữa Hoa Kỳ và Việt Nam Cộng hòa, mà còn là lời khẳng định sự ủng hộ đối với cộng đồng người Mỹ gốc Việt tại Khu vực Bầu cử Thượng viện số 15 của chúng ta. Tôi xin gửi lời cảm ơn đến Sở Cảnh sát San Jose vì sự phản ứng nhanh chóng của họ. Mặc dù bức tượng đã được tìm thấy và thu hồi, nhưng thủ phạm vẫn chưa được xác định hay bị xử lý. Ông Hai Huỳnh, một thành viên trong cộng đồng San Jose, đã treo thưởng 20.000 đô la cho bất kỳ ai có thể cung cấp thông tin giúp xác định danh tính kẻ phạm tội. Nếu có bất kỳ manh mối hoặc thông tin nào, xin vui lòng liên hệ với ông Hai qua số điện thoại 408-313-3766 và Đơn vị Điều tra Tội phạm Tài chính thuộc Sở Cảnh sát San Jose qua email [email protected] hoặc số điện thoại 408-277-4521.