Two Foothill-De Anza Trustees Retain Seats

In first trustee area election, incumbents ran unopposed, election not required

Foothill-De Anza Community College District governing board members Patrick Ahrens and Pearl Cheng will be sworn in for new four-year terms following the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ certification that no challengers filed to run against the incumbents, and no election is required.

The November 2022 election would have been the first in which governing board members were elected by voters from two of five trustee areas rather than at-large by a districtwide vote. The two trustees will be sworn in for their new terms at the Board of Trustees meeting in December.

Ahrens, the current governing board president, will represent central Sunnyvale in Trustee Area 2 during his second four-year term.

“I hope to live up to the faith the community has placed in me to help make our district an even better place for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Ahrens. “I’ll never forget where I come from, and I’ll never forget who I’m fighting for.”

Ahrens first served on the governing board as a student trustee in 2008-09 before graduating from De Anza College and transferring to UCLA to complete his education.

Cheng, a longtime public servant who will represent Trustee Area 4 during her new term, said, "I am humbled and grateful to continue serving with our great district. We are known for our educational excellence and for being an important community partner. I am honored to continue on the board to focus on our vital work together."

Cheng was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in 2008 and was elected without opposition in 2009, 2014, and 2018. Trustee Area 4 encompasses most of Cupertino and small portions of west San Jose, southwestern Santa Clara, and northern Saratoga.

Elections for Trustee Areas 1, 3, and 5 will be held in November 2024. More information about the new trustee areas can be found at www.fhda.edu/trustee-areas.

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Posted Sept. 2, 2022