“I don’t give up easily”: Bill Chuan announces run for Milpitas City Council

Bill Chuan has announced that he will be running for Milpitas City Council in the November 2026 election. 

Chuan first ran for a spot on the Council in 2024. During that year, he and five other candidates were running for two seats. Evelyn Chua got 29.62% of the vote, while William Lam received 19.9%. They were both elected to Council to serve a 4-year term. Chuan came in right behind Lam, with 17.06% of the vote. 

“Running for office takes time and commitment,” said Chuan in an interview with The Beat. “I don’t give up easily, especially when the going gets tough. Running an effective campaign takes a lot of consistency and dedication. I’m willing to go the extra mile, especially for the residents of Milpitas.” 

During his first campaign, Chuan learned a great deal about the process and how to organize a campaign from top to bottom. 

“It was a close race,” said Chuan. “I now know what gaps I need to fill to take it to the next level.” 

Chuan’s dedication to Milpitas and its residents is apparent to anyone who has seen him out in the community. He currently serves on the Valley Water Independent Monitoring Committee, where he was recently asked to be the Priority F Chair, which is focused on supporting public health and public safety in the community. He’s also the current chair of the Milpitas Unified School District’s (MUSD) Community Board Advisory Council (CBAC), as well as chair of MUSD’s Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. He is also a member of the Milpitas High School (MHS) Site Council. 

In addition, Chuan devotes time to volunteering for Hope for the Unhoused, the Kiwanis Club of Milpitas, and MHS’ Naval Junior Reserve Office Training Corps (NJROTC) program. 

“I’ll also do anything I can to support veterans,” said Chuan, who spent time serving in the army as an armor crewman before the first Gulf War. 

From 2019-2024, Chuan also served on the Milpitas Planning Commission; he was chair on that commission from 2022 to 2024. 

“My qualifications come from being engaged in the community, understanding and knowing its challenges; not just talking about it, but understanding it firsthand,” said Chuan. 

Should he win the election, Chuan would prioritize public safety and fiscal responsibility. He also told The Beat that he would work to solve the staffing issues that have been plaguing Milpitas City Hall.   

“The big elephant in the room is our city staffing,” said Chuan.

Milpitas has had an ongoing problem in terms of holding on to city managers and other senior leadership. The most recent departures include former Interim City Manager Deanna Santana, who left in December of last year, along with former Director of Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives Alex Andrade, who recently left Milpitas to work for the City of Palo Alto. 

“There has been a lot of movement within the city, and retaining employees has been an issue. We’ve had a lot of good people that have left. The city needs leadership to be able to retain employees. We want people to serve longer; people who are qualified and effective. We want to make sure we keep those qualified and effective people as part of the city,” said Chuan.   

If elected to city council, Chuan hopes to bring thoughtful “family-first leadership” to the role. 

“I’ll bring a commitment to listening, collaboration, and transparent decision making,” said Chuan. “I want residents to feel informed and represented. I want to make sure residents aren’t left out of the process of our local government. I plan to focus on practical solutions that will enhance quality of life.”

Chuan has three daughters with wife Kelly Yip-Chuan, who currently serves as vice president of MUSD’s Board of Education. Two of their daughters currently attend MHS, while the oldest is studying at UC Santa Cruz.  

“I want my daughters to continue to feel proud of the city they grew up in. I’m involved here and I listen here,” said Chuan. “My passion is serving the city and the families that live here. I’m excited and eager to bring fresh perspective, dedication, and leadership.”