Gilroy Unified has four board seats up in 2026, for Trustee Areas 1, 3, 4 and 7. Area 3 is contested.
Daniel Harney
Harney served 3.5 years on the City Council and chairs the Gilroy Gardens board. In his statement to the Gilroy Dispatch, he said the Gilroy Teachers Association endorsed him. He also said GUSD has paid its teachers the lowest in Santa Clara County and has had the lowest reading and math scores and the highest turnover. He promises smaller classes, funded school safety programs and earlier communication with parents, and he says he does not support ICE enforcement at schools.
Michelle Nelson
Nelson is a retired educator with 39 years in education and six years on the board. She said ongoing salaries have risen 27% since 2020-21, with two one-time bonuses. She also said GUSD has not closed a school since June 2020 and has had no layoffs since 2011. She points to new early-literacy intervention and social-emotional programs.
This explainer summarizes the candidates' own statements and published reporting. It does not endorse anyone.
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.