Elections

Elections

San Jose officials want to stop shady politics

San Jose is on a path to close an election loophole that former Mayor Sam Liccardo and his right-hand man used to raise more than $1.5 million to fill seats on the City Council. The city is looking to prohibit elected officials and their staff from working on political action committees (PACs) that raise money for local...

First candidate enters San Jose District 2 race

South San Jose is where resident Babu Prasad raised his children, established his first business and bought his first house. Now it’s where he’s running for office to continue serving his community. Prasad announced his run for the San Jose City Council District 2 seat on Sunday. He hopes to replace current Councilmember Sergio Jimenez, who leaves office in 2024 after two...

Will ranked choice voting come to Santa Clara County?

A new voting system may come to Santa Clara County—if officials decide to pursue it. Assembly Bill 1227, authored by Silicon Valley Assemblymembers Evan Low and Alex Lee, would allow the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to implement ranked choice voting for county elections. Ranked choice voting—recently adopted in Bay Area cities such as...

Palo Alto mayor launches bid for state Assembly seat

Palo Alto Mayor Lydia Kou stumbled into politics accidentally as an active member of her community—now she wants to run for higher office. Kou declared her candidacy for state Assembly on Monday. She will run against incumbent Marc Berman who represents District 23, which includes Mountain View, Palo Alto, most of Menlo Park, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, Saratoga and Campbell. Her focus is...

San Jose mayor’s chief of staff triggers election law proposal

San Jose is looking to strengthen its election rules, with the push targeting the mayor’s right-hand man. The San Jose City Council is considering whether to prohibit elected officials and their staff from working on independent expenditure committees that raise money for local races. This move comes after residents and city leaders questioned the extracurricular political activities of...

Former San Jose legislator considers another state run

A former California legislator might run for another state seat representing parts of Silicon Valley. Kansen Chu is mulling over whether to run for the California State Assembly seat in District 24, according to state campaign finance and committee filings. Chu, 71, said he’s taking the time to talk to close community members and supporters,...

San Jose police union’s political clout clouded by drug scandal

San Jose officials are reckoning with a path forward after federal investigators brought drug smuggling charges against the top San Jose police union administrator last week. Amid a scandal that has rocked the union, it’s unclear whether the powerful organization will lose the political clout it’s wielded in the city and wider region for decades....