Cortese is the son of former Santa Clara County Supervisor and California Assembly member Dominic L. Cortese and Suzanne Cortese. Cortese's paternal grandfather, Vince Cortese Sr., was an immigrant farmer from Sicily[7] who found success in agriculture and commercial development. His maternal grandfather, Ed Donovan, was a civic leader and executive of General Motors Credit Corp. who served as a Santa Clara City Councilman in 1949 and 1950.[8] Dave Cortese and his wife, Pattie, who serves on the East Side Union High School District Board, have four children.
Cortese creates the Silicon Valley Kids Climate Club in 2009
In 1986, following a successful tenure as a professional financial manager within a prominent corporation, Cortese assumed the role of general manager for a collection of enterprises in ranching and real estate. These enterprises have historical roots tracing back to their establishment in the Valley in 1917. His professional journey includes business endeavors involving the sale of agricultural produce, stewardship of a substantial multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio, construction, ownership of a dining establishments, and a private law practice.[9]
Cortese’s leadership positions include serving as Vice Mayor of the City of San Jose, Board President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Board President of the East Side Union High School District Board, Chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), President of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), President of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), President of the Santa Clara County Cities Association (SCCCA), Founder of the Joint Policy Collaborative for Economic Development, Chair of the California Senate Labor, Public Employment & Retirement Committee, President of the San Jose East-Evergreen Rotary Club, Board of Directors for the East Valley YMCA, The Tech Interactive, Parents Helping Parents, and several other nonprofits, as well as a Founding Member of East Valley Girls Softball.[10]
For over a decade, Cortese has hosted the Day on the Bay multicultural resource and health fair
At the initiative of Cortese, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance to force gun owners to lock and secure their firearms in homes in unincorporated Santa Clara County.[11]
At the initiative of Cortese, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved moving forward with a plan for residents to voluntarily rid their homes of unwanted firearms and to educate the public about the process.[12]
Cortese initiated a countywide housing task force involving various stakeholders: business, labor, city and county offices, homeless population, and housing experts.[13]
The task force's recommendations led to initiatives like the $950 million "Measure A" affordable housing bond co-chaired by Cortese and the All the Way Home campaign, resulting in housing for 2,200 veterans.[14]
Cortese led Santa Clara County to adopt 100% renewable electric power and formed the County Climate Coalition with Al Gore's Climate Reality Project.[15]
He played a role in creating Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), a community-owned carbon-free electricity provider.[16]
Cortese's efforts on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) secured federal funds for road rehabilitation and congestion relief in the South Bay.[17]
In his first term on the Board of Supervisors, his accomplishments included securing funding for transportation projects, including the Silicon Valley BART Extension; upgrades to the county's expressway system; extending Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Light Rail to Eastridge Mall; improvements to HWY 101 and the Tully Road, Capitol Expressway, and Yerba Buena interchanges; approving a new ambulance service; and protecting farmland and open space, as well as introducing new Sunshine Laws.[18]
On the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board, he secured funding for BART expansion and light rail service to Eastridge, along with improvements to expressways and highways.[19]
Cortese united ABAG and MTC to address housing, jobs, transportation, and climate protection in a coordinated regional approach.[20]
In his term on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, his accomplishments include securing funding for more school crossing guards and an evaluation of "hot spots" of pedestrian and bicycle accidents and fatalities in order to improve conditions.[21]
Cortese addressed aging population needs by initiating the Older Adults Summit and the Seniors' Agenda.[22]
He initiated and supported the launch of the 37,000-square-foot Vietnamese American Service Center, aimed at providing tailored resources and secured $3 million for the Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center.[23]
Cortese has pioneered and secured substantial funding for guaranteed income programs in Santa Clara County and statewide, serving foster youth, pregnant women, and homeless high schoolers.[24]
He helped form an anti-Human Trafficking task force by sponsoring an $850,000 budget item. The money is evenly divided between the Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's office, which make up the task force with multiple other local agencies. As of October 1, 2014 the task force showed measurable results according to Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith.[27]
Cortese initiated the Gender and Ethnicity Pay Equity Ordinance, established the Anti-Human Trafficking Team, and reviewed Title IX policies.[28]
Cortese's leadership resulted in Santa Clara County challenging the Trump Administration's DACA repeal successfully.
He supported immigrant-related efforts, such as establishing the Office of Immigrant Relations and allocating funds for DACA/DAPA recipients' legal services.[29]
Cortese's focus on restorative justice led to the Santa Clara County Blue Ribbon Commission, resulting in numerous recommendations for inmate treatment improvements.[30]
He pioneered a policy to halt the incarceration of offenders under 13 years of age at Juvenile Hall.[31]
