The local Democratic Party is pushing back against the removal of party affiliation language from candidate statements just weeks before ballots are mailed. The tussle is over San Jose Councilmember Sylvia Arenas, who is running for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 1 seat. In her candidate statement, Arenas lists endorsements that include the Santa...
San Jose mayor’s race: Attack ad goes after NRA support
With three months left to Election Day, the San Jose mayor’s race is taking an ugly turn. The top two candidates, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez and San Jose Councilmember Matt Mahan, have taken jabs at each other all year. Chavez questioned the political newcomer’s stance on abortion and women’s rights. Mahan challenged the...
San Jose classroom becomes too hot to handle
Outdated systems and equipment have impacted learning for some San Jose students. In some classrooms at Renaissance Academy at Fischer Middle School, temperatures have reached 88 degrees due to faulty air conditioning. In response, teacher Luvia Solis has to take her class outside, along with their desks and chairs. All school year I have been dealing...
Silicon Valley lawmaker says stop the monkey business
State Assemblymember Alex Lee is the latest victim of negative campaign monkey business. Over the last few weeks, the Housing Providers for Responsible Solutions political action committee (PAC) has spent nearly $1 million on mailers, ads and texts opposing Lee—about a third of what the PAC has spent this year. The PAC is largely funded...
South Bay politician poised to become State Assembly speaker
A progressive South Bay legislator is poised to become the next speaker of the State Assembly, marking the first time this powerful position has been held by a politician from a rural district. Assemblymember Robert Rivas announced Friday he’s secured enough votes from the Democratic Caucus to become the Assembly’s next speaker. The speaker is a...
Candidate claims Santa Clara County DA tripped him after debate
Two candidates running for Santa Clara County district attorney claim incumbent DA Jeff Rosen intentionally tripped one of them at the end of a debate—an incident Rosen says was an accident. The episode occurred last Friday at the end of the first in-person forum with all the candidates for the DA’s race hosted by Sacred Heart...
49ers break the bank for San Jose mayoral candidate
The San Francisco 49ers football team is spending a staggering sum of money on Supervisor Cindy Chavez in her race to become San Jose mayor. The Santa Clara-based NFL team has contributed $300,000 to an independent expenditure called “Citizens for Cindy Chavez, Mayor 2022.” According to public records, the committee was set up earlier this...
Santa Clara County water district sets scope of harassment investigation
Valley Water officials have defined the scope of their investigation of board member Gary Kremen, but are leaving out the main issue that sparked the request. The Valley Water board voted 6-0 Tuesday to approve an investigation into whether Kremen violated any district policies in his interactions with workers or members of the public. Kremen...
Seven Silicon Valley candidates net major endorsement
The Santa Clara County Democratic Party has announced its 2022 endorsements for candidates in six city and county races—all of whom recently received support from local labor leaders. The party, which represents more than half a million Democratic voters in Silicon Valley, gave a sole endorsement to Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez in the San...
Santa Clara to hire attorney after firing city manager
Days after firing the city manager, the Santa Clara City Council plans to hire an attorney—but won’t let the mayor take charge of the search. The council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to have Councilmember Karen Hardy seek out legal counsel to represent the local government. Councilmember Kathy Watanabe cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing this...