Silicon Valley voters this November will cast ballots in one of the region’s most consequential elections: From deciding who to send to Washington to a historic county supervisorial election, there is no shortage of major decisions up and down the ballot.
State contest bound to divide Asian voters in Silicon Valley
In a contested California Assembly race where more than half of voters are Asian Americans, four Asian Democrats are vying for the job. Assemblymember Alex Lee, who won the Assembly District 25 seat in 2020, is running for the same job in a new district. His district, which used to encompass Santa Clara, Alviso, Northern San Jose and parts...
San Jose voters to decide on moving mayoral elections
San Jose voters will soon be tasked with deciding if mayoral elections should take place in presidential election years. On Tuesday, the City Council voted 10-1 to put the decision before voters for the June 7 primary election. If the measure passes with a simple majority, it will shift the timing of the next mayoral...
Lobbyists contribute to San Jose City Council campaigns
The top lobbyists donating to San Jose’s mayoral race are also ranking high when it comes to City Council campaign contributions. A look at lobbyist donations during the first filing period of the 2022 election season revealed $13,550 of the $196,000 raised for council candidates came from registered lobbyists. Although it only comprises 7% of the...
Longtime San Jose political staffer enters D1 supervisor race
A former political staffer and case manager is entering the race for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 1. Denelle Fedor told San José Spotlight on Thursday she intends to campaign for the seat during the June primary and has filed some preliminary paperwork. Incumbent Supervisor Mike Wasserman terms out at the end of...
Top lobbyists give the max to most San Jose mayoral candidates
The San Jose mayoral race is just getting started, but lobbyist donations are already flowing in. Of the nearly $1.5 million raised last December for the San Jose mayoral race, about $44,000 came from lobbyists or their firms. Donors distributed funds almost evenly between the four leading candidates: San Jose Councilmembers Matt Mahan, Dev Davis and Raul Peralez...
Santa Clara County candidates report 2021 money haul
The race is on to replace Santa Clara County’s long-term assessor, sheriff and district attorney. The top two DA candidates have raised a cumulative $725,000, while the two leading contestants for assessor have raked in more than $571,000. Below is a glimpse of what candidates in county races raised from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31,...
Santa Clara County sheriff candidate secures key endorsement
A contender for the top law enforcement job in Santa Clara County has won a coveted endorsement. The Deputy Sheriffs’ Association of Santa Clara County is throwing its support behind retired sheriff Capt. Kevin Jensen, who announced his run for sheriff last September. The association’s members voted overwhelmingly to support endorsing him. “We know Kevin Jensen...
Which San Jose council candidates lead in campaign contributions?
With half of the San Jose City Council’s seats up for grabs, this election season will be contested and costly. Candidates are required to disclose campaign contributions—the most recent deadline being Monday for funds raised between Dec. 9-31. While not every candidate has their numbers in, here’s a look at what we do know for the...
Mahan still leads in fundraising for San Jose mayoral race
As San Jose’s mayoral race heats up, campaign fundraising is following suit with the four leading candidates collectively raising more than $1.4 million in one month. Three councilmembers—Dev Davis, Matt Mahan and Raul Peralez—and Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez are all vying for the job. All contributions and donor information are based on campaign...
Santa Clara business leader’s potential campaign could create conflict
A rumored ally of Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor has his eyes on a City Council seat, but running for it would create a conflict of interest for him in his other roles. Sources say Christian Pellecchia, vice president of operations at Santa Cruz-based Slatter Construction and board chair of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of...