Candidate for
Judge of the Superior Court; County of Santa Clara; Office 14

Personal History:

Thomas Spielbauer was born on October 6, 1948 in San Francisco, California. He attended Holy Name Elementary School from which he graduated in 1962. In 1962, he entered Maryknoll High School Seminary in Los Altos Hills, California where he studied for four years and graduated in 1966. Thereafter, he went on to the collegiate seminary in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He remained at Glen Ellyn for approximately six months, departing in 1967.

He entered Gonzaga University in September 1967. Three and a half years later, in December 1970, he graduated from Gonzaga University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. After his graduation from Gonzaga University, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army.

Thomas Spielbauer thereafter commenced active service in the United States Army. After being initially stationed in San Francisco, California, he was subsequently reassigned to Sattaheap, Thailand. After over a year of service in Thailand, he was reassigned to New York City. In August 1974, Thomas Spielbauer separated from active service in the Army to attend California Western Law School in San Diego, California.

While at California Western Law School, Mr. Spielbauer was recognized with an award of Sophister in oral argument and was also a member of the school's international moot court team. During his time in law school, Thomas served on President Gerald Ford's Presidential Clemency Board in a full time capcity for a quarter of a year, journeying to and residing in Washington, D.C. during that time. Mr. Spielbauer graduated from California Western Law School in May 1977 and was subsequently admitted to the State Bar of California as a practicing attorney on December 21, 1977.

Thomas Spielbauer's father was an immigrant to the United States, having been born in Oberellenbach, Germany on February 15, 1893. His father, the son of a peasant farmer, joined the German Army in December 1914 and participated in World War I until the war's conclusion in 1918. Joseph Spielbauer, Sr. was awarded two medals for heroism for his actions during the war. Joseph Spielbauer immigrated to the United States in 1923 after the German economic collapse of that year, and journeyed straight to San Francisco where he remained until his death. The hardships which the monarchy brought on the German people greatly affected Joseph Spielbauer. It also gave him a great appreciation for the wondrous democratic traditions and economic opportunities of the United States. These beliefs influenced his sons.

Mr. Spielbauer's mother, Candida Elena Magaņa, was born in Mazatlan, Mexico on August 18, 1911. She was the youngest of a total of 22 children, 18 natural and 4 adopted. She immigrated to the United States shortly after her marriage to Joseph Spielbauer, Sr., and the couple resided in San Francisco, California until the death of Joseph Spielbauer, Sr. in 1984 at the age of 91 years. Mrs. Spielbauer now lives in San Jose, California. Her large family provided an excellent model of how large families not only can benefit the children within the family but in the end, society itself.

Mr. Thomas Spielbauer became a resident of Santa Clara County in March 1981 when he began his service as a litigator with the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office. He has served in that office since.

Thomas Spielbauer, at the age of 51 years, is a loving father of Ingrid Tifni and to Nam Nicolas.

Thomas Spielbauer was an active duty Army officer for 3 and a half years during the Vietnam era. Thomas served in the Vietnam theatre, in Thailand. He brings with him the leadership training that the military instills. He has resided in different countries, the year and two months that he lived in Thailand, and for a little less than a year in Mexico. He has traveled throughout different parts of the United States, and has lived in New York City, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C..

Thomas Spielbauer is not parochial. He brings with him a global view with real life experience. He understands that different societies and different communities have different values. These values deserve respect provided that they do not inflict harm on others.