City of San José, District 6

Michael Mulcahy

I ran one of the largest nonprofit organizations serving young people in San José and know the powerful impact we can have on families by engaging & inspiring them. I will advocate for a city where all families can build brighter futures by promoting safer neighborhoods, strengthening the economy and ensuring every child receives quality education.

Over 80% of voters polled say they want elected officials to prioritize children and families. What are the top three issues affecting our children and families and how will you make our region a place where all families can thrive?

Public Safety: A safe place to live is integral, and I will advocate for hiring more police officers, providing them with top training to protect our diverse communities, and invest in proven crime-reduction programs like job training and mental health services.
Education: Every child deserves a quality education. I will support investments in education, recreation and job and skill development, and push for data collection on outcomes to inform improvements to our city schools and youth programs.
Cost of living: I will address rising costs by fostering local business districts and growing our small businesses to create high-wage jobs that help our families not just stay afloat, but thrive.
High quality childcare improves school readiness and parents' workforce participation. What will you do to improve access to high quality childcare and preschool programs in our diverse communities?

As a father and business owner, I know safe, affordable childcare is vital to our families and our city's economy. And, as the former Executive Director of Children's Musical Theater San José (CMT), I've seen firsthand how quality youth programs transform lives. Access to reliable childcare empowers parents to pursue careers and engage in the workforce, removing barriers to opportunity while developing our future generation. On the City Council, I will advocate for investments in proven child development programs, cut unnecessary red tape so more childcare centers can open and forge partnerships with local organizations to expand childcare services supporting diverse and low-income families.
Much of the student achievement gap has been linked to the opportunity gap that children in low-income families and children of color confront (e.g., lack of access to healthy food, preschool, tutors, and enrichment activities). If elected, what will you do to increase equity of opportunity?

I will work to grow our local economy, create high-wage jobs and make our city safer so every family, in every neighborhood, can build a stable life for their child. As Executive Director of CMT, I developed our arts education program that welcomes all children, regardless of economic means or ability. On the City Council, I will support organizations that offer similar opportunities to our city’s children, especially those from underrepresented and low-income families, providing safe spaces to learn and grow outside of school. I will support our schools’ free nutrition program and expansion of scholarship opportunities for San José Recreation Preschool.
What steps will you take to improve inclusion and outcomes for children with disabilities and their families in our community?

Every child in San José should have equal access to education and recreation. On the City Council, I will support initiatives that specialize in programs for children with disabilities and support funding for continued investment in special education curriculum and teachers in our schools. I will review and push to improve data collection practices to be inclusive of all children’s outcomes, and work to address inequitable educational outcomes for children with disabilities in our city. I will encourage equal access to recreation, like expanding on barrier-free local options for children to play and grow safely.
If elected, how will you use the resources of your new role to improve children's well-being and access to mental and behavioral health services?

We must ensure our schools have the resources they need to support our kids — with a growing need for mental and behavioral health services, we need enough specialists, like counselors and social workers, to serve our city’s kids in need. On the City Council, I will build on relationships with wellness nonprofits to increase mental and behavioral health awareness and access to services for youth. I also believe improving public safety will help ensure every child has a safe neighborhood to grow up in, limiting negative environmental influences on mental health, and making sure every officer has the best training to de-escalate unsafe situations influenced by mental and behavioral health.