The Foothill-De Anza Community College District runs Foothill College in Los Altos Hills and De Anza College in Cupertino. Area 4 is one of its trustee areas. Chao’s campaign says it covers the Cupertino High and Lynbrook attendance areas and most of Monta Vista’s.

Liang Chao

In her Ballotpedia survey, Chao says she moved to Silicon Valley in 1989 and holds a Princeton PhD in computer science. She is a former professor and says she is currently a De Anza student. She was elected to the Cupertino Union School District board in 2016 and to the Cupertino City Council in 2018. She was mayor in 2025, is vice mayor in 2026 and is finishing her second and final council term.

Her three messages are “Students First,” being “Future-Ready” with AI literacy and job skills, and accountable leadership, including close oversight of bond spending.

Bill Wilson

Wilson’s Ballotpedia survey lists a Princeton math degree and a Harvard PhD in mathematics. He is a former math professor and cybersecurity researcher who founded a company and ran it as CEO until it was acquired. He served 16 years on the Fremont Union High School District board, teaches math at De Anza and sits on the Foothill-De Anza Foundation board.

His priorities are the district’s financial strength, affordability for faculty and staff, lifelong learning, partnerships with local business, and student mental health. The Santa Clara County Democratic Party endorses Wilson.

The choice

Both candidates have long local résumés and doctorates from top schools. Chao’s pitch centers on accountability and bond oversight from an elected official’s view. Wilson’s draws on years inside the district as a faculty member and school board trustee.

Cupertino-area high school voters may also want our Fremont Union High board explainer. For West Valley and Mission colleges, see that district’s board races.

How to vote

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center. For more local races and measures, see our 2026 Bay Area election hub.