Sonoma Resident, Attorney, and Senate Chief of Staff Announces Candidacy for SRJC Trustee
Sonoma Valley Patch
August 5, 2022, 10:42AM
Sonoma, CA – Ezrah Chaaban, a Sonoma Valley parent, attorney and Chief of Staff to State Senator Bill Dodd announced today he's running for the Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Board of Trustees, Area One seat in the November 8, 2022 election.
Ezrah, a Sonoma County native who attended Sonoma Valley public schools, noted the need to develop career and transfer pathways in Sonoma Valley and with underserved segments of our community who are geographically isolated from the college. He wants to see offerings that meet the needs of both employers and students, including placing an emphasis on healthcare programs to train more aspiring nurses, medical assistants, and health care technicians to care for Sonoma County residents in the years ahead.
Over the last eight years as a Chief of Staff in the California State Legislature, Ezrah has played a key role in local and statewide policy issues. This includes helping pass state law permanently protecting the open space at Sonoma Developmental Center, expanding food aid to low-income college students, and helping secure funding to build new student housing. Ezrah enters the race with diverse experience in the state Capitol and here at home. Beyond his work as the senior legislative advisor and Chief of Staff to Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa), Ezrah has also been actively involved in our community through his service on:
Sonoma State University Alumni Association Board
Sonoma County Transportation Authority Citizen's Advisory Committee
Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department (PRMD) Director's Advisory Group
Santa Rosa Plain Basin Advisory Panel
Upon announcing his candidacy, Ezrah stated, "SRJC is a tremendous institution and that's thanks to the dedication of incredible leaders, faculty and staff. I want to bring a fresh perspective and energy to revitalize SRJC and sustain its status as a premier community college not just here in Sonoma County, but nationally. With many complex issues facing the JC system – declining enrollment, accessibility issues in more isolated areas of the county like Sonoma Valley, and an aging population, I believe I offer a well-rounded perspective to collaboratively address these issues on the SRJC Board of Trustees in the years ahead."
Ezrah enters the race with broad and diverse support from federal, state, and local elected officials, from Congressman Mike Thompson and Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire to Senator Bill Dodd and Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Jim Wood. He is also endorsed by SRJC Trustee Jeff Kunde, who is retiring from the Area One seat when his term expires at the end of the year, fellow Trustee Maggie Fishman, as well as Supervisor Susan Gorin, the majority of the Sonoma City Council (Mayor Jack Ding, Vice Mayor Kelso Barnett, and Councilmembers Madilyn Agrimonti and Sandra Lowe) and Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Rogers and Councilmember John Sawyer.
Ezrah grew up in the Sonoma Valley and attended local public schools including El Verano Elementary, Altimira Middle and Sonoma Valley High Schools, before going on to receive a BA from Sonoma State University and law degree from UC Davis School of Law. He and his daughter live in Sonoma Valley's Agua Caliente.