Ron Gonzales
Ronald R. Gonzales | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1951 |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | Late 1970s–2006 |
| Known for | 63rd Mayor of San Jose, California; first Hispanic mayor since 1845 |
Ronald R. Gonzales (born 1951) is an American political figure affiliated with the Democratic Party who held the office of the 63rd Mayor of San Jose, California. He was notably the first Hispanic to serve as San Jose’s mayor since 1845.
Early life
Raised in the Santa Clara Valley, Gonzales completed his higher education at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Early political career
At age 18, Gonzales secured a position on the student council at De Anza College. His entry into local politics occurred in the late 1970s when he chaired a citizens’ commission in Sunnyvale that advocated for maintaining low-density zoning. After a narrow defeat in his 1977 campaign for Sunnyvale City Council, he successfully won election in 1979.
Gonzales took over as Sunnyvale mayor from Larry Stone in 1980 and served again during 1987-88. During his mayoral terms, he dismissed efforts to censure Stone over a photograph with Fidel Castro, labeling it “the most ridiculous matter” he encountered while in office.
He completed the Mayor's Leadership Program at Harvard Kennedy School and is recognized as a fellow of the American Leadership Forum.
Santa Clara County Supervisor
In 1988, Gonzales ran for a seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, earning 49.7% in the June primary. The incumbent, Tom Legan—who was undergoing trial but was not convicted on molestation charges—received only 10.3%, while Milpitas Mayor Robert Livengood advanced to the runoff with 40%. Gonzales won the November runoff with 57.4%, becoming the county’s first Mexican-American elected to this position. He served on the Board from 1989 through 1996.
Mayor of San Jose
Gonzales was elected mayor of San Jose in 1998 with 51.4% of the vote, defeating councilmember Pat Dando and beginning his term in 1999.
Shortly after taking office, he introduced programs aimed at attracting young educators by offering assistance with home purchases and pushed for San Jose Redevelopment Agency funds to be allocated beyond downtown to neighborhoods such as King and Story.
He was a strong advocate for extending BART service to Downtown San Jose as part of the Silicon Valley BART expansion. When the Berryessa/North San José BART station opened, city leaders credited Gonzales for his role in advancing this significant transit project.
As San Jose’s first Latino mayor since California joined the Union, Gonzales ranks among the earliest Hispanic leaders of major U.S. cities and is recognized nationally as one of the "Most influential Hispanics." At the 2000 Democratic National Convention, he delivered a prominent address emphasizing California’s "Silicon Valley."
During a period when San Jose’s political climate shifted leftward, Gonzales frequently faced criticism and was often singled out as a leading Latino politician. In 2000, his personal life became politically charged following reports of his separation and subsequent marriage to staff member Guiselle Nunez.
In 2003, Gonzales encountered backlash after negotiating an $11 million pay increase—approximately nine percent—for Norcal Waste Systems, Inc. sanitation workers, which received approval from the San Jose City Council. Critics framed this action through a Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury investigation as an unlawful quid pro quo favoring Teamsters unions aligned with his labor supporters. Councilman Dave Cortese called for Gonzales’s resignation, while member Chuck Reed initiated removal proceedings. Although the Council formally censured him, no further disciplinary measures were taken. Ultimately, a judge dismissed all allegations, determining that these claims were legally unprecedented and did not constitute criminal conduct, stating "This is not bribery, this is politics."
In 2002, Gonzales established the Silicon Valley Leadership PAC to facilitate political fundraising but halted contributions in 2004 amid controversy and following a stroke suffered in January of that year. He also founded the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley to promote Latino business growth and community advancement.
Late political career
Gonzales secured reelection as mayor in the March 2002 contest. His tenure concluded in 2006 after serving his second and final term. On January 28, 2004, he experienced a stroke during his State of the City address but resumed his responsibilities by February 16. He chose not to seek another term nor endorse any candidate in the November 2006 runoff election, which resulted in Chuck Reed defeating Vice-Mayor Cindy Chavez.
Career
Upon completing his term limits on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Gonzales transitioned to a decade-long role as Program Manager at Hewlett-Packard, where he spearheaded a nationwide effort to establish collaborations with local educational institutions including school districts and universities.
Honors
In 1999, Gonzales was honored with the Community Impact Award from the Asian Law Alliance as well as the national Point of Light Award recognizing his notable contributions to the community. He initiated The Role Model Program, designed to link adult mentors with middle schools in the area, and led the National League of Cities Youth, Education, and Families Council, influencing national policies benefiting youth and families. Furthermore, he played a foundational role on the board of Downtown College Prep, Santa Clara County’s first charter high school dedicated to academic achievement in San Jose’s central city.