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South Bay voters headed to the polls Tuesday after a long and often divisive campaign season that saw deep division between Silicon Valley’s two powerful political camps — business and labor — and widespread fallout from a racist campaign image from business lobby. READ MORE: Find a vote center or ballot drop box here. Like...
Political panel files court action against Santa Clara County education trustee
The Fair Political Practices Commission is taking longtime education trustee Anna Song to court. Just one day before the general election, the state’s political watchdog announced it filed a complaint with the Santa Clara County Superior Court against Song and her campaign for failing to file required campaign finance statements for her Santa Clara County...
Silicon Valley religious leaders plan event for peaceful transition of power
As tensions rise in anticipation of the presidential election outcome, Silicon Valley religious leaders are wasting no time in starting the healing process. They are holding a “Count All Votes” event Nov. 4, following the final deadline for voters to cast ballots. The all-day event that is open to the public will be focused on...
The Silicon Valley Organization kills its political action committee
The Silicon Valley Organization is dissolving its political action committee — effective immediately — just six days after a racist attack ad it posted targeting District 6 candidate Jake Tonkel sparked widespread outrage. The dissolution of The SVO PAC — the primary way the business group raised money and lobbied for or against candidates — means...
Early voter turnout in Santa Clara County breaks records
More than half of the registered voters in Santa Clara County have already cast a ballot, shattering records and surpassing national and statewide early voter turnout rates. According to data from the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (ROV), 53% of eligible registered voters countywide voted early, surpassing those in the state (41.9%) and nation...
Who is responsible for The SVO’s racist image? They won’t say
Three days after a racist campaign image appeared on The Silicon Valley Organization’s website, the business lobby remains mum about who is responsible. Additionally, campaign finance records show the business group continues to work with a campaign consultant blamed for another racist campaign message posted in February. The most recent image, posted Oct. 27 and...
Robert Mezzetti, 4th-generation Santa Claran, seeks seat on City Council
Having resided in Santa Clara for more than 50 years, and a fourth generation Santa Claran, Robert Mezzetti touts his roots and commitment to the city. He says he is running for a seat on the Santa Clara City Council to safeguard the city he loves. Mezzetti did not respond to interview requests. On his...
New tax data platform fuels Prop. 15 debate in South Bay
Proposition 15, one of the most highly-contested issues on the ballot, has given hope to those who believe it will eventually lead to changes in how residential property taxed. The measure, if approved, would require commercial and industrial properties to be taxed based on their market value rather than the price at which they were purchased....
Pro-business Gary Barve wants to ‘Make Santa Clara Great’ as councilmember
Gautam “Gary” Barve’s baseball cap gives a hint about what makes him tick. Although his education and work experience are in the high-tech industry, Barve said Donald Trump fuels his passion for politics. “I began to realize while working in technology that it wasn’t giving meaning to my life,” Barve said. “Having a bold vision...
Silicon Valley Organization CEO resigns as nonprofits line up to cut ties
The CEO of The Silicon Valley Organization, Matt Mahood, resigned as eight prominent South Bay nonprofit groups announced they are cutting ties with the influential business group. “I am very sorry for the completely unacceptable image that was put up on our website earlier this week,” Mahood said in announcing his resignation. “That image and...