Senior Starts County Campaign
Allie Hughes begins political career by running for delegate
With the primary election fast approaching, Santa Clara senior Allie Hughes has launched her campaign to become a delegate of the Santa Clara County Democratic Party (SCCDP)’s central committee.
As the youngest contender for the bid, Hughes hopes to represent the voice of a younger generation and bring her youthful dynamism to the political establishment.
“It would be exceedingly infuriating to come into the world after school and realize that there have been policies enacted into law that are affecting us when we had no say in those solutions,” Hughes said.
Hughes was inspired to pursue a career in politics by her high school teacher, an African-American and a single mother of two children who taught her about the government’s discrimination against African-American people.
She realized that lawmakers—for better or for worse—can truly shape the lives of those they represent.
Imbued with the vision for public service, Hughes interned with San Jose’s then-councilmember Don Rocha in her sophomore year, later becoming Rocha’s council assistant.
She has since been hired as a volunteer coordinator for San Jose city council candidate, Jenny Higgins Bradanini.
Now, Hughes has set her sights to become one of 10 delegates to represent Assembly District 27 for the local democratic body.
Addressing the housing crisis is one of Hughes’ top priorities.
“Being within the next generation of homebuyers,” Hughes said, “It’s terrifying to look at the housing market and realize that our generation is coming out with the highest amount of debt, the lowest pay in entry level jobs comparatively and the highest price tags on homes.”
Hughes believes that more affordable housing should be built around transportation hubs, echoing the calls of many residents, educators and lawmakers in the Bay Area.
Santa Clara proposed to build almost 300 units of affordable housing units for faculty and staff near the Santa Clara Caltrain station.
The controversial State Bill 50 (SB 50) would have mandated local governments to build multi-unit housing instead of single-family homes near transit hubs—SB 50 narrowly failed in the state Senate last month.
She also champions LGBTQ issues and women’s rights, applauding Santa Clara County’s response to Trump Administration’s attack against the liberties of trans and women.
Last year, the Santa Clara County board of supervisors approved over $480,000 for Planned Parenthood after the Trump administration prevented clinics receiving federal funds from making refferals for abortion services.
“It’s instrumental that we use San Jose and Santa Clara County as role models for the rest of the world to follow,” Hughes said.
Lastly, Hughes said lawmakers must battle climate change, which starts with building better infrastructure for public transportation.
She believes that BART’s extension from Fremont to San Jose is a step in the right direction.
Currently, BART runs from San Francisco and goes as far south as Fremont. It’s northern portion stretches to Richmond and Antioch.
Not only would this plan generate more job opportunities, but also reduce people’s dependence on cars, one of the largest contributors of greenhouse emissions.
Hughes has been endorsed by Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, former vice mayor of Milpitas Karina Dominguez, Peninsula for Everyone and Silicon Valley Young Democrats.
If all goes according to plan, Hughes hopes to run for San Jose City Council in 2024.
“I want to bring the voice of young people into the political conversation so that when policies and bills and pieces of legislation are being drafted,” Hughes said. “I can come in and say, ‘Hey, that’s exceedingly regressive towards young people.’”
Contact Nicholas Chan at nchan1@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.