Pamela Campos said she remembers being in middle school the first time she marched with her family for immigrant rights — an experience that set her on a path toward advocating for families in her community where housing and child care are top issues.
A policy and program officer, Campos, 29, is running for the open San Jose City Council seat in District 2 against retired Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputy Joe Lopez, with Councilmember Sergio Jimenez terming out at the end of the year. Campos and Lopez were the top vote getters in the March primaries. The district stretches from the border of Morgan Hill and up to a portion of South San Jose, ending at Sylvandale Avenue.
After graduating high school Campos began her career as a preschool teacher, entering the world of working-class educators. She soon found herself struggling with low pay and lack of growth. Though she thought earning a bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent development from San Jose State University would increase her chances for a higher paying position, she discovered school teachers were generally paid the same modest salaries even with college degrees.