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...
Elections
Elections
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 vice mayor enters crowded supervisor race
Madison Nguyen said she can’t stay away from politics any longer and plans to run for a county seat. The former San Jose vice mayor announced her bid for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat Monday, showing up with supporters to file her candidacy papers in-person at the county Registrar of...
East San Jose school trustee the latest to enter supervisor race
One East San Jose school board member is seeking higher office to continue supporting marginalized communities. Alum Rock Union School District board member Corina Herrera-Loera is making a bid for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat, currently held by Supervisor Cindy Chavez who terms out next year. The district is centered in...
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....
Former San Jose official running for supervisor—again
Another politico has tossed her hat into the race for the District 2 seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Former San Jose Vice Mayor and Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco, 56, plans to run for Supervisor Cindy Chavez’s seat. Chavez terms out at the end of 2024, but may vacate the seat early if...