Former city employee Nooran Bayzaie was considering a run for the District 10 San Jose City Council seat when his boss and sitting councilmember fired him. Bayzaie, 22, most recently worked as a legislative and policy aide for District 10 Councilmember Arjun Batra. Bayzaie said he was let go a couple of weeks ago, the...
Thousands of dollars roll in for Santa Clara County candidates
As the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors races begin to ramp up for the 2024 election, campaign contributions are also heating up as candidates begin fundraising for seats that are up for grabs. Candidates across three districts have already raised more than $600,000. All contributions and donor information are based on campaign filings as...
San Jose native enters crowded District 2 council race
Pamela Campos grew up in a San Jose home shared by four families until hers could afford their own house. Now, Campos is entering the District 2 San Jose City Council race to tackle that same problem of overcrowding head on. Campos is the third candidate—and first lifelong San Jose resident—to join the District 2...
San Jose insider enters District 2 council race
A San Jose City Hall insider is running to replace her boss for the southside council seat. Vanessa Sandoval, chief of staff for Councilmember Sergio Jimenez, has joined the race to represent District 2, which stretches from the border of Morgan Hill and up to a portion of South San Jose, ending at Sylvandale Avenue....
Former San Jose official challenges ally for District 4 seat
Tensions are rising as a former California lawmaker seeks his old San Jose City Council seat, a position held by his close political ally. Former state Assemblymember Kansen Chu, who at one time represented District 4 in San Jose, and current D4 Councilmember David Cohen both started their political careers roughly two decades ago on...
Longtime San Jose leader first to enter District 10 race
Longtime government leader and media specialist Lenka Wright is running to represent South San Jose. Wright, a former broadcast journalist turned communications director for Mountain View, is eyeing the District 10 San Jose City Council seat to represent the Almaden and Santa Teresa area. She is the first to announce her candidacy for the 2024 election, although incumbent...
The first six months: San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. She’s been called a connector, collaborator and bridge builder. In a city frequently divided by two political factions, San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei finds common ground. The West San Jose councilmember...
San Jose candidates compete for community college seat
Candidates for a community college school board are throwing their hats in the ring for a special election in November. Three people are vying for an open seat on the board of the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District: Diego Barragán, Lisanna Dominguez and Clay Hale. The seat became vacant earlier this year after Omar Torres,...
The first six months: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. Fresh off a contentious debate over housing funds that ended in his first big political compromise, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is still optimistic about achieving core campaign promises of...
The first six months: San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a San José Spotlight series examining the newest San Jose councilmembers and their first six months in office. A drive-by shooting at an elementary school can change the course of students’ lives. For San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres, it sparked a dedication to community organizing. At 14, Torres witnessed the...