Candidate for
Council Member; City of Santa Clara; Seat 5

A descendent of Portuguese and Italian immigrants, Dominic Caserta is a fifth generation resident of Santa Clara. His family has been active in the civic affairs of the Mission City for more than 125 years.

Dominic is a graduate of Bellarmine College Preparatory. In 1997, Dominic graduated Magna-Cum Laude from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Political Science with a Minor in American History.

In the fall of 1997, Dominic began his teaching career at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino. At Aquinas, Dominic was a member of the Social Science Department, coached the Basketball and Baseball Team, and was the Kairos Spiritual Director.

In August 1998, Dominic began teaching in the Social Science Department at Santa Clara High School where he teaches Advance Placement Government & Politics, Civics, and Economics. Dominic is the current the Department Chair of the Social Science Department. He had previously been the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach and Boys Tennis Coach, Speech & Debate Advisor, Senior Advisor, and United Teachers of Santa Clara Union Representative.

In 2000, Dominic received his Secondary Teaching Credential in Social Science with a CLAD emphasis from Santa Clara University, graduating with honors.

In November 2002, Dominic was elected to the Santa Clara City Council, seat #2. In November 2006, Dominic was re-elected. On the Santa Clara City Council, Dominic was a leader of many issues (please see Dominic's Record section).

In the summer of 2009, Dominic attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, graduating from the State and Local Officials Executive Program.

In 2010, Dominic was awarded the prestigious James Madison Fellowship. The James Madison Fellowship was created to honor President James Madison's legacy and Madisonian principles by providing support for graduate studies that focuses on the Constitution--its history and contemporary relevance to the practices and policies of democratic government. Dominic was only one of 3 teachers in California to receive the award in 2010.

​In the summer of 2010, Dominic attended Georgetown University for the Madison Fellowship. In November 2012, Dominic received his Master's degree in Political Science at San Francisco State University. Dominic's Master's thesis was on the Undemocratic Elements of the United States Congress and Suggestions on making it a more democratic legislative body.

Starting in 2012, Dominic has also been teaching in the Political Science Departments at San Francisco State University, West Valley College, Foothill College, Mission College and De Anza College. Dominic is also the Principal of the consulting company Caserta Consulting.

Dominic lives in the Old Quad in Santa Clara with his wife. He is an avid tennis player and loves watching Steph Curry and his favorite team, the Golden State Warriors.