Congressional candidate Evan Low was driving to a Friday night meet-and-greet when he got the alert. An out-of-state billionaire put seven figures behind Low’s opponent.
The news that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg threw $1.5 million at former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo fired him up. He arrived at the the fashionable Menlo Park home of Democratic political organizer Pam Salvatierra, where supporters picked at cracker and fruit spreads, with a smile on his face.
The 41-year-old California assemblymember has spent a decade building power in Sacramento — making a move for the Assembly speakership and garnering a formidable donor base of tech leaders and equality groups. The son of an optometrist with degrees from De Anza Community College and San Jose State University made history in Campbell when he became the youngest Asian American mayor in the country. He said he’s garnered enough support to succeed retiring Rep. Anna Eshoo this November and become the first LGBTQ+ and Chinese American member of Congress from the Bay Area.
But it’s been a bitter year of contentious recounts, endorsement jockeying and dueling FEC complaints between him and Liccardo — and the race is bound to intensify.
“Especially in these remaining 47 days,” Low said to the crowd.
Low lists 10 priorities for Congress, if elected. One is highly personal to him: Public safety. His brother, a San Jose police officer, made headlines last year for pulling his injured partner to safety in a shooting ambush. He said he plans to push for a federal application of California’s police certification system known as Peace Officer Standards and Training, and tie it to federal grant funding. That would allow other police departments out of state to use California training policies.
“We need to reflect California’s standards at a nationwide level,” Low told San José Spotlight. “We need more police officers, greater pay, and greater benefits — but we also need to strengthen the profession.”
Police complaints in San Jose have increased in recent years. State appellate judges last month denied qualified immunity to San Jose officers who sought the legal shield from an activist they shot in the groin during protests in 2020. The issue made San Jose the birthplace for the Racial Justice Act of 2020, which calls for conviction reversals and charge reductions in cases where defendants face racism. San Jose Assemblymember Ash Kalra authored the bill and Low voted for it. Two years later, Low voted in favor of decertifying police officers who commit misconduct.
The well-being of Asian American Pacific Islanders is a major focus in the race — allowing Low to capitalize on his background as an Asian lawmaker and his support among a formidable voting base. Low chairs the California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus in Sacramento. Earlier this year he introduced two pieces of legislation, Assembly Bills 2603 and 2604, to strengthen hate crime enforcement after the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a wave of anti-Asian violence in the U.S.
Jin Zhang, the Menlo Park event’s co-host, said Low’s candidacy is important on the heels of a surge in anti-Asian discrimination and violence that occurred after the pandemic. The issue is top of mind for Zhang, a Chinese American lawyer.
“He has been a local advocate against Asian hate,” Zhang said to the crowd of supporters. “There are very few Chinese Americans representing us in Washington D.C. Out of 435 Congressmen in the House of Representatives, only a handful are of Chinese descent.”
Low touts protecting the middle class and making housing more affordable. He said he would vote in support of the “Housing for All” bill introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla in 2022 and revived in February. It would authorize $45 billion for the national Housing Trust Fund, a federal program that funds affordable housing development for extremely low-income households, each year through 2033. He would also push to expand the housing choice voucher program and provide grants for safe parking programs for homeless residents.
“Funding is important, but you can’t just keep throwing money at the problem,” Low told San José Spotlight, adding there are other ways to help working families. He said he would support an increase to the state and local tax deduction cap — allowing for higher property tax deductions on federal tax returns — to provide relief for Silicon Valley families.
One of Low’s priorities, addressing the climate crisis, has drawn attacks from Liccardo. Petroleum companies Chevron and Phillips 66 donated thousands of dollars to Low’s past Assembly campaigns. PG&E — the electric utility that’s become a Bay Area household rate-raising nightmare — also donated $325,000 to the Golden State Leadership PAC that is supporting Low’s congressional run.
Low says he can advance climate-friendly policies and points to his record. He’s listed as a co-author on Assembly Bill 1999, a highly controversial bill which if approved would limit new fixed monthly utility bill charges. In 2018, Low advocated in support of Senate Bill 100, which committed the state to producing 100% of its electrical energy from renewable sources by 2045.
“We should bring industry on board — it’s not us versus them,” Low told San José Spotlight. “How do we bring people along? By the government helping invest in these goals — building electric car charging stations, for example.”
Low lists hefty police endorsements, including the San Jose police union and statewide Peace Officers Research Association. Labor unions have heavily backed Low, including the California Labor Federation, Santa Clara County Firefighters Local 1165, California Teachers Association and National Nurses United. Other endorsements include the California Democratic Party and the LGBTQ+ political fundraising group, Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee.
Low’s candidacy also nabbed endorsements from a cadre of powerful lawmakers from Santa Clara County, including all county supervisors — except Joe Simitian who ran unsuccessfully for Congressional District 16 in the primary — as well as Assemblymember Kalra and Congressmember Ro Khanna.
Another endorser is Patrick Ahrens, Low’s district director of 10 years who’s now running for his old boss’ seat.
“I’m supporting Evan Low for Congress because it’s not just about the policies he champions; it’s about who he brings with him to make those changes a reality. Evan has built a strong, diverse coalition of community leaders, advocates and everyday citizens who believe in creating a better future together,” Ahrens told San José Spotlight. “His collaborative approach, proven record in the California State Assembly and dedication to inclusivity make him the best candidate to represent us.”
Low has raised roughly $2.5 million between January and June, and has seen more than $1 million in independent super PAC spending support since launching his campaign in 2023. Liccardo has raised $4.3 million since launching his campaign and seen nearly $517,000 in independent super PAC spending support.
Congressional District 16 spans Santa Clara and San Mateo counties — including Menlo Park, where supporters at Low’s meet-and-greet were eager to speak to him. One even planted a kiss on his cheek.
At the September campaign event, Low made the rounds in Salvatierra’s backyard as volunteers chatted over hors d’oeuvres under the clear evening sky.
At times they looked visibly stunned when Low recognized certain faces he met months ago while canvassing neighborhoods and knocking on doors. One of those faces belonged to Joel Simon, a 30-year Menlo Park resident.
“Evan impressed me because he was actually walking around the neighborhood. Yes, in national politics you can canvass and chat with constituents. But it’s really the local issues that you have a chance at influencing,” Simon told San José Spotlight. “I always think it’s better to serve close to home.”
Contact Brandon Pho at [email protected] or @brandonphooo on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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