With Milpitas City Councilmembers Evelyn Chua and Anthony Phan reaching the end of their first term, six candidates including Chua will face off to fill the two open seats as the city develops more affordable housing units, experiences a growing budget deficit and grapples with public safety concerns.
Residents can expect to see a mix of newcomers and familiar faces, as several candidates ran unsuccessfully for a spot on the five member council seat back in 2022. Phan is running for mayor in the upcoming election.
Here’s who is running
Evelyn Chua
Vice Mayor Chua is seeking reelection because she believes there is more she can do for the city. Her first few years in officer were a “learning curve,” but now she has the experience and insight to lead the council in the right direction.
“I feel there is a lot more work to do,” she said. “There’s got to be consistency in the council.”
Her priorities include strengthening the city’s fire and police department and collaborating with community members and developers to make affordable housing “actually affordable.” She also wants to build more thriving businesses in Milpitas and continue to help existing ones recover from the pandemic.
Some of Chua’s accomplishments during her time on the council include initiating “ADU Mondays,” when residents can consult about Accessory Dwelling Units, starting a Retail Theft Prevention Forum and analyzing a balanced budget.
Prior to becoming a council member, Chua served on the city’s Planning Commission and Emergency Preparedness Commission and the Community Advisory Commission.
William Lam
Lam may be new to city council campaigns, but he knows exactly what he wants to do. The long time Milpitas resident is hoping to promote public safety in the city after noticing an increase in crime in his neighborhood. He also wants to improve residents’ quality of life and is pushing for the city to be more responsive to maintaining roads, sidewalks and other public spaces.
Lam also wants to prioritize transparency and accountability when it comes to the city using taxpayer dollars. Lam said his management experience and determination to do something good for the city makes him the ideal candidate.
“I’m independent, I’m not affiliated with any organizations,” he said. “I don’t have special interests and all I want is to do some good for Milpitas.”
Lam served on the Technology Commission, Milpitas Community Television and was elected as chairperson for the Milpitas Homeless Task Force. He also served in multiple councils and committees in the Milpitas Union High School District.
Juliette Gomez
Gomez is running for City Council to be a voice that can “communicate the needs of our residence and businesses.” If elected, Gomez said she will create partnerships with local unions and entrepreneurs. She’ll also work with the city to make permitting and licensing business-friendly.
Her top priorities include making sure police and fire services are adequately funded and well equipped to keep residents safe. Gomez said it is important for her to build a “climate of economic development” by creating strong alliances with businesses and advocating for possible tax incentives, and credits for businesses that invest in the community.
“I want to use the experience I have in partnering with Silicon Valley executives to make an impact on how the city of Milpitas is shaped,” Gomez said.
Gomez serves as vice president of the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce and is a commissioner on the Milpitas Parks and Recreation Commission. She leads a platform promoting inclusion and anti-bullying among youth and is a published children’s book author.
Dipak Awasthi
Awasthi wants to have a seat at the council table because he wants to help make Milpitas better. “Where is the city heading too? This is not the city I came to 20 years ago,” he said
Awasthi plans to advocate for better crime prevention measures and support for mental health and homelessness-related calls. As a business-oriented person. Awashti believes he has valuable ideas on how to make Milpitas more business and job-friendly.
He also wants to ensure there is a responsible use of taxpayer dollars. “Whatever expenditures we are doing now is kicking the can down the road,” he said. “That is why I will have to work heard to bring in more money (for the city).”
Awasthi currently serves on the city’s Planning Commission and previously served on the Sister Cities Commission, the Economic Development and Trade Commission.
Bill Chuan
Chuan, a former military veteran, has served the country and now wants to serve Milpitas. Chuan believes he can bring professionalism, transparency and dedicated leadership to the city council.
His number one priority is to keep Milpitas safe by securing funding, competitive recruitment and updated equipment to public safety services. Chuan said residents are dealing with escalated inflation that makes affordable living challenging. If elected, he’ll work with the council to provide affordable housing for Milpitas’s workforce, especially essential personnel like police, fire and education workers.
“I really l love the family feel of Milpitas and raised my family here,” he said. “That sets the tone for what my priority are.”
Chuan served on the Milpitas Planning Commission and Milpitas Zone Advisory Committee. Outside of the city, he volunteered with the Kiwanis Club and with the Milpitas High School’s NJROTC and Athletic Booster Club.
Anu Nakka
Nakka is entering the race because she believes she can help solve many issues facing the city.
If elected, Nakka said she will work hard to identify opportunities to attract businesses to Milpitas and provide more housing opportunities for teachers, first responders and other community members in need. The 23-year resident is also concerned with creating a safe and sustainable environment for residents and prioritizing children’s education and well-being.
Nakka believes her extensive background in technology, finance and community involvement makes her a standout candidate. “I am committed to being very responsible and responsive candidate,” she said.
She is a member of the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club and serves as an elected trustee at the Milpitas Unified School District. In 2022, she chaired the district’s Measure E campaign, which passed and brought in more than $12 million dollars to fund STEM programs.