Asian Media Roundtable – Yan Zhao on Why She Is Running for Santa Clara County Assessor and Her Vision for Improvement
On September 16, the Asian Media Roundtable took place at the Ding Ding TV Studio. In a wide-ranging conversation, Diana Ding (Founder and CEO of Ding Ding TV, Silicon Valley Community Media) and Joel Wong (Chief Editor, Ding Ding TV) spoke with Yan Zhao, candidate for Santa Clara County Assessor.
The discussion focused on what the County Assessor’s Office does, how it benefits residents, and why Yan Zhao is running for the position.
The County Assessor is one of three countywide elected officials alongside the District Attorney and the Sheriff. The office provides the primary source of funding for critical public services, including schools, public safety, and local government operations. Yan noted that the office is lagging far behind modern standards, still relying on a 40-year-old system, taking an average of 708 days to resolve assessment appeals, and historically doing little public outreach.
Yan explained that the core responsibility of the Assessor’s Office is to fairly and accurately assess all properties including residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial, and to apply state property tax laws while maintaining accurate property records.
When asked about her qualifications, Yan said:
“I believe I am the best-qualified candidate in this race. As a computer engineer with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley and Santa Clara University, I know how to use technology to make government services more efficient. As a public servant, I have served our community for over 20 years — eight years on the Planning Commission, nine years on the Commission on the Status of Women, and seven years on the City Council, including two terms as Mayor. I always lead with transparency, accountability, and results. I am also the only state-licensed appraiser in this race, with the most professional training and hands-on experience.”
Yan outlined her three top priorities for the office:
1. Modernize the Assessor’s Office with 21st-century technology to make services faster, more efficient, and less costly for residents.
2. Serve residents as customers by improving responsiveness, transparency, and support for working families.
3. Establish community education and outreach programs to help residents understand property tax laws, their rights, and the assessment process — building trust through transparency and accountability.
When asked why voters should choose her, Yan said:
“I will bring real change to this office and make it work better for everyone. When the Assessor’s Office functions effectively, it means more funding for our public schools, public safety, and essential services that people rely on every day. That is what I will strive for. Please remember to vote Yan Zhao by November 4.”