Santa Clara City Council District 2 candidate Kimberley Williams is facing scrutiny over social media campaign posts that featured branding from the Santa Clara Schools Foundation, a nonprofit she presides over. The incident has led the foundation to establish new guidelines for board members running for public office.
Williams, who became board president of the Santa Clara Schools Foundation in June, appeared in social media campaign photos taken at the nonprofit’s booth during the Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival on September 20. The posts from Williams’ campaign tagged the foundation, and the photos displayed the foundation’s banner and branded tablecloth. This created the impression that the foundation had endorsed Williams, which is prohibited for a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity engaged in political campaigns.
Williams stated that a campaign volunteer posted the photos without fully understanding the implications. She removed the photos from Facebook after she was informed of a complaint made to the foundation. Williams took responsibility for the posts, noting, “The buck stops with me.” She confirmed that the photos were removed as soon as she became aware of the issue.
Steven Neese, executive director of the Santa Clara Schools Foundation, confirmed that the foundation had not authorized the posts and does not endorse or oppose political candidates. In response to the situation, Neese issued a directive on September 25 to board members who hold or seek public office. This new guidance prohibits them from using the foundation’s logo, sponsors’ logos, or tagging the organization in any campaign materials. Neese stated that the guidance will be incorporated into the board member commitment form. The foundation has also initiated a review process for tags on its Facebook and Instagram accounts. Neese emphasized, “The Santa Clara Schools Foundation is not involved in political campaigns.”
The directive from the foundation followed a letter sent on September 24 to the foundation’s board by Diana Torres, a freelance political consultant associated with Williams’ opponent’s campaign. Torres’ letter questioned whether the campaign photos could lead voters to believe the nonprofit endorsed Williams. Torres expressed her intent to file a complaint with California Attorney General Rob Bonta. She stated that it was concerning that Williams, as board president, was using the foundation’s name and events to promote her city council campaign, suggesting the foundation exists to support students and families, not political campaigns.
Teresa O’Neill, a former Santa Clara councilmember and a longtime board member of the Santa Clara Schools Foundation, volunteered at the Art & Wine Festival and shared similar concerns. O’Neill voiced apprehension that Williams’ actions might create an implied endorsement by the organization, which is not permissible for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Torres’ complaint also raised questions regarding the consent of the family of a student volunteer pictured with Williams in the campaign materials. Williams clarified that the student in the photo was her daughter, who serves as the elected student representative of the Santa Clara High School PTSA. Williams explained that a volunteer took the photo after she and her daughter had finished setting up the booth. Williams affirmed her ability to provide consent for her daughter to appear in a photo with her as her mother.
Williams is campaigning for the District 2 seat in the November 3 election, running against Yvonne Inciarte, who previously served as the director of intergovernmental strategy for Congressman Ro Khanna.