Quick Facts
Biography
Dominic Caserta (born 1975) is the Vice Mayor of the City of Santa Clara and a sitting member of the Santa Clara City Council.
Background
A descendant of Portuguese and Italian immigrants, Caserta is a fifth generation resident of Santa Clara, and his family has been active in the civic affairs of Santa Clara County for more than 125 years. Dominic is a graduate of Bellarmine College Preparatory, and in 1997, Dominic graduated Magna Cum Laude from Santa Clara University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Political Science with a Minor in American History.
Caserta teaches in the Political Science Departments at De Anza College, Foothill College, and San Francisco State University.
Notable Initiatives
Caserta successfully led the effort to enact a $15 minimum wage by 2019, three years before a minimum wage increase will be mandated by the State of California.
In partnership with Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, Caserta successfully championed a worker retention ordinance for Silicon Valley. The ordinance, first of its kind, received unanimous support from the Santa Clara City Council and will provide job security for food and building service workers in Santa Clara.
Controversy
Caserta's fundraising tactics have fueled controversy during his time in office, culminating with Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor pulling her endorsement of Caserta via text message