Gov. Newsom endorses Silicon Valley congressional candidate

Gov. Gavin Newsom has made a last-minute endorsement in Silicon Valley’s contested race for Congressional District 16.

Newsom is backing state Assemblymember Evan Low in his campaign against former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. The endorsement makes sense to political observers who say the two worked together as Low began his tenure in the Assembly in 2014 — as well as their mutual opposition to efforts such as Proposition 36 on the November ballot. Lindsey Cobia, Low’s campaign manager, is also Newsom’s deputy chief of staff.

Newsom’s endorsement came late on the campaign trail with less than a week before Election Day, but Low said he is absolutely thrilled and honored to have the governor’s support.

“Over the past five years, I’ve been proud to stand by (Newsom’s) side, tackling California’s biggest challenges — from affordable housing and supporting middle-class families to protecting our democracy. His leadership and vision for California have been an inspiration,” Low told San José Spotlight.

Other notable endorsements for Low include the California Democratic Party, the California Labor Federation and the San Jose Police Officers’ Association.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Liccardo said those who know Low best are throwing their support behind the former San Jose mayor.

“Assembly Speaker Rob Rivas, Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon and our local Assemblymember Marc Berman. These leaders know Sam is focused on delivering solutions, not slogans and patronizing platitudes,” spokesperson Gil Rubinstein told San José Spotlight.

Liccardo also touts endorsements from elected officials in neighboring cities like Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Saratoga and more, as well as support from groups such as the Consumer Federation of California and the League of Conservation Voters.

Larry Gerston, a political analyst for NBC Bay Area and San Jose State University political science professor emeritus, said it’s unusual for Newsom to endorse one of two members of his same party, with Low and Liccardo both being Democrats — and could cause friction for the governor down the road if his preferred candidate loses.

Gerston also noted a sizable portion of voters have already cast early ballots prior to Newsom’s endorsement.

“As far as Low is concerned, the governor’s endorsement can’t hurt,” Gerston told San José Spotlight. “It definitely can’t hurt, but the endorsement’s impact is likely to be lessened because it comes so late.”
Terry Christensen, SJSU political science professor emeritus, said news outlets reporting on Newson’s endorsement of Low proves the influence that such a stamp of approval carries.

“I don’t know that the timing lessens the significance. Obviously it’s making news, so that’s what’s important for Evan Low,” Christensen told San José Spotlight. “It’s important for Low in the last stages of the race.”

Contact Vicente Vera at [email protected] or follow @VicenteJVera on X, formerly known as Twitter.