Almost all San Jose councilmembers and candidates are backing one person for mayor: Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez. Chavez is facing off against San Jose Councilmember Matt Mahan this November, but only one of his colleagues has endorsed him—Mayor Sam Liccardo who is terming out. Vice Mayor Chappie Jones has yet to make a public endorsement,...
Election 2022: Silicon Valley schools seek funds for upgrades, programs
Santa Clara County residents will be asked to approve millions of dollars in education funding come November. A yes vote would mean several local school districts could tackle Silicon Valley’s ongoing digital divide and teacher shortage. But if the measures fail, schools will be challenged to get the necessary funds to attract teachers and upgrade facilities and necessary school...
Fact check: San Jose police staffing at center of mayor’s race
In San Jose politics, history has a way of repeating itself. Eight years ago when Mayor Sam Liccardo sought the city’s top political job, the biggest issue on the campaign trail was police staffing levels. That comes as no surprise—Liccardo as a councilmember strongly backed Measure B, a 2012 initiative championed by his predecessor Chuck...
Election 2022: Santa Clara County cities see several contests
Residents across the South Bay will elect some new representatives this November, as a number of seats are up for grabs. Local races were expensive and competitive in the June primary election, with many incumbents seeking reelection and new candidates jumping in to shake up the status quo. Candidates vying for council seats in smaller...
San Jose councilmember eyes next political move
San Jose Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco looks to be heading down a new political path— vying for a seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Education. Carrasco, who represents District 5 on the city council, terms out of office at the end of the year. She filed papers to run for trustee area 6 on the county education...
San Jose leaders say no to statewide gambling measures
Two statewide propositions to legalize and expand sports betting are coming to voters in November—and San Jose officials oppose both of them. The city council unanimously voted earlier this week to oppose Props. 26 and 27, viewing them as having a negative impact on San Jose casinos and reducing revenue gambling generates for the city. Prop. 26...
East San Jose council candidates speak on homelessness, police
Candidates vying to represent San Jose’s East and Central districts gathered downtown to sound off on their priorities at a recent forum. The Friday morning forum, hosted by the San Jose Downtown Association, featured District 5 city council candidates Nora Campos, a former state assemblymember, and Santa Clara County Board of Education President Peter Ortiz, as...
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...
Milpitas mayor’s race takes shape
Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran has handpicked his replacement, but now a new challenger—and an outspoken adversary—are shaking up the contentious mayor’s race. Councilmember Anthony Phan jumped into the mayor’s race Friday, joining fellow Councilmembers Carmen Montano and Karina Dominguez. Tran is terming out after three, two-year terms as mayor, but he is running for a...
East vs. West: San Jose mayoral candidate breaks barriers
Eight years ago, progressive San Jose mayoral candidate Dave Cortese lost his bid to the business-backed Sam Liccardo, despite an overwhelming win in the primary election with support from East San Jose. Liccardo pulled ahead of Cortese, now a state senator, in November 2014 to become the city’s 65th mayor. His narrow win was secured by...