Candidate Statement

Hello! I am running as a North Star Progressive candidate for AD-23. I have been serving as a delegate since 2019 and would be honored to continue in this important role. I currently serve as Board President of the Palo Alto Unified School District. I have been active in Democratic politics all my life, and am currently a member of the Silicon Valley Democratic Club, PDC, DAWN, and the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto. 

I’ve spent the last 30 years working in K-12 education, first as a public school teacher for 8 years, then as a math education specialist in schools, districts, and internationally. I’ve co-authored curricula and earned my PhD in mathematics education from Stanford University.

As a school board member, my work has been focused on identifying structural inequities in our district and facing and dismantling those inequities so that demographics are no longer predictive of outcomes for our students. During my tenure the district has revamped procedures to address title IX and other violations of students of protected classes. As society at large comes to terms with similar issues of race, class, and gender, I am eager to support this vital work.

I have been active in party politics at the local, state, and national levels since the 2008 election when I worked to defeat Prop 8. Since then I have promoted progressive policies and candidates at all levels by hosting events, registering voters, canvassing, doing my best to elevate candidates of color, and working as a delegate to the state party. Most recently I have advocated for Palo Alto to be more aggressive in their work on the Housing Element.

During my time as a delegate, I have actively participated in the women’s, children’s, environmental, lgbtq, progressive, and black caucuses and have co-signed resolutions ranging from support of housing affordability to improved transportation infrastructure and equity to education funding. I am eager to take on a larger role in ADEMs this term and believe I will continue to be an effective contributor to the priorities of the CDP as we work for a more equitable and just California for all.

I would be honored to earn your vote. Thank you.

Jennifer DiBrienza
jennifer@ad23.vote