Jesse attended Miano Elementary School, Los Banos Junior High School, and graduated from Pacheco High School.

While in school he participated in FFA (serving as his chapter's treasurer), Speech & Debate (serving as the club's secretary, varsity football, and numerous leadership activities before continuing his education at Merced College. Perez is focused on agroecology, agricultural/environmental chemistry, agricultural education, and education policy. While at Merced College, Perez was the Vice Chair of the Merced College Democrats and Secretary/Treasurer of the LatinX Club.

Perez also serves on the Merced County Democratic Central Committee (2025-present), appointed at 18 by Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria. Perez is currently a member of the Chicano/Latino Caucus, Filipino American Caucus, Progressive Caucus, and LGBTQ Caucus.

Today Jesse continues advocating for education, agriculture, and environmental stewardship locally and throughout California. He was the '26 California FFA State Judge for Environmental Science/Natural Resources & Forestry and in '25 for Agricultural Education & Communications.

Perez may be young, but he is committed towards education. From his time helping with the California FFA (being a state judge or helping out with/chairing Merced College FFA events), being a part of the UC Merced CalTeach Learning Lab (where K-12 students are exposed to STEM education and future STEM teachers get trained), and being a member of both the California Agricultural Teachers Association & North American Association for Environmental Education, Perez has shown his committment towards education county and statewide.

	Protecting students from ICE Training educators on how to interact with ICE, promoting Know Your Rights workshops, and ensuring schools are ICE-free zones. When ICE shows up, students stay home, it's important to understand the public safety risk ICE poses in our communities.
	Support for Agricultural & Career Technical Education When it comes to agriculture, it not only plays a massive role economically here in the Valley, but also culturally. Being a former FFA chapter officer, I am aware of what these students face and what else needs to be done to support them. As trustee, I want to help local FFA chapters with membership drives, showing students that the FFA is for everyone. In addition to agricultural education, we must invest in Career Technical Education. From healthcare to IT to culinary arts to welding, we must understand that students have passions elsewhere and support them beyond high school.
	Partnerships with Merced College & UC Merced As someone who has attended both Merced College and UC Merced, I see the potential it has on Merced County students. Our county has higher education in mind, with two Merced College campuses (Merced & Los Banos) and UC Merced, it's important to show students that education can remain local and affordable. As trustee, I will keep my ears and eyes open on any new opportunities that come from these two insitutions.
	Promoting Environmental Education & Further STEM Investments The Central Valley is bearing the brunt, here in California, when it comes to climate change. We must educate our students on ways help mitigate climate change through piquing their interest when it comes to the environment! Regarding STEM education, it goes beyond just "Science" or "Technology" or "Engineering" or "Math", but rather various fields that pull from all four. For example, agricultural/environmental science often pulls from all four categories. Getting students excited about fields such as Biotechnology, Meteorology, Data Science, and Aerospace Engineering, will motivate students to keep going on their education track.
	Strengthening Public Education, Teachers Unions, and Collective Bargaining I believe public education dollars should strengthen our traditional public schools. As trustee, I will ensure further accountability and transparency when it comes to charter schools. Unions are a part of the American tradition, ensuring that workers are paid and treated fairly in a time where companies took advantage. As trustee, I will ensure that the unions have a seat at the table, working with them to ensure that their voice gets heard.
	Promoting American Grown Produce & Expanding Farm to School Many valley students and families live in food deserts with limited access to fresh produce. As trustee, I will actively take a role in talking with local farmers and districts to promote local produce in our schools. It's important to fuel our students with healthy local options that keep farmers farming!
	Opposition to AI in classrooms My concerns come from student privacy, environmental impacts from data centers, and over-dependence on tech companies. Students shouldn’t become a blank check for big tech. I oppose partnerships with Big Tech, as we are using our classrooms as their playgrounds! Even as trustee, I will actively compaign against data centers in the Central Valley!
	Bringing Grants to County Schools As trustee, I will actively work with the California and U.S. Department of Education to help county school districts identify and secure grant funding.
	Support Proposition 3 & Proposition 40 (2026) Proposition 3 would help provide stable funding for California’s schools and community colleges, while Proposition 40 would support essential public services. As your trustee, I will ensure that our parents, students, educators, and schools have the resources they deserve!
	Promote Teacher Recruitment and Retention It's no secret, the Central Valley and education in general has an issue when it comes to teacher retention. As trustee, I will work to ensure that teachers feel they belong here in Merced County, I will also want to work with Merced College and UC Merced to help scout out graduates that may be interested in teaching.

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Endorsements

Our campaign is proud to have earned endorsements from across all areas!

• Democratic Municipal Officials
• Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte
• Alberto Velarde: Principal and Former Candidate for Merced County Superintendent
• Isaac Gudino: California Democratic Party Regional Director, Region 5
• Nichelle Henderson: Teacher, Former Candidate for California Superintendent, and LACC Board Trustee
• David Tejeda Gallegos: Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Personnel Commissioner
• Eric Robinson: President of the Mesa College Democrats
• Gary Blenner: Teacher and former Center Joint Unified School District Trustee