Candidates running for mayor in San Jose set themselves apart on several key policy issues during San José Spotlight’s first election forum of 2022. Five candidates joined Wednesday’s forum—Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, San Jose Councilmembers Dev Davis, Matt Mahan and Raul Peralez, and former San Jose Police Department officer Jim Spence. Most candidates agreed...
UPDATE: Santa Clara revises political boundaries
Less than four years after Santa Clara split into six election districts, the city has redrawn those boundaries—this time with fresh data from the 2020 U.S. Census. On Tuesday, the Santa Clara City Council voted unanimously to approve new boundaries selected by an independent commission to carry the city through the elections of the next...
UPDATE: San Jose looks to limit foreign influence in elections
San Jose is moving to draft laws that limit foreign influence in elections and close some campaign contribution loopholes. On Tuesday, the City Council voted 9-1 to write an ordinance to prohibit foreign-influenced corporations or donors, with no stake in San Jose, from making contributions to local elections. It came before the council with intentions...
San Jose mayor makes first 2022 election endorsement
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo has made his first City Council endorsement—Joanna Rauh for District 3. “Joanna Rauh has the common sense, passion, intelligence, listening skills and collaborative temperament needed to be a great city councilmember,” Liccardo told San José Spotlight. “Nobody juggles more than a working mom and she has proven she can master...
San Jose council candidate denies decades-old abuse allegations
San Jose Planning Commissioner and City Council candidate Rolando Bonilla is disputing allegations that have recently resurfaced regarding domestic violence and child support. About 20 years ago, Bonilla’s ex-wife accused him of physical abuse during a custody battle for their son and claimed he failed to pay child support on different occasions, according to media...
Who’s running for San Jose mayor and council in 2022?
More than 30 candidates have jumped into contests for San Jose mayor and City Council, with at least one frontrunner dropping out following Friday’s deadline to compete in the June primary election. In about three months, San Jose residents will narrow the fields for a new mayor and five city councilmembers. Districts 1, 3 and...
San Jose mayor eyeing run for Congress, sources say
For several years, Silicon Valley politicos have been clamoring about what’s next for San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. And with just nine months left in office, the mayor has remained mostly mum—until now. At a California Chamber of Commerce executive board meeting in Half Moon Bay last week, Liccardo let it slip that he’s eyeing a...
Seven Silicon Valley candidates net major endorsement
The Santa Clara County Democratic Party has announced its 2022 endorsements for candidates in six city and county races—all of whom recently received support from local labor leaders. The party, which represents more than half a million Democratic voters in Silicon Valley, gave a sole endorsement to Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez in the San...
Santa Clara County sheriff will not seek reelection
After nearly a quarter-century of service, Santa Clara County’s sheriff is calling it quits at the end of the year. Sheriff Laurie Smith told San José Spotlight she does not plan to run for reelection in the June primary. The deadline for entering the race is Friday. There has been widespread speculation about whether Smith...
Silicon Valley residents say state ‘death tax’ should go
An anti-tax movement is working in Silicon Valley and elsewhere in California to gut a law that taxes transfers of inherited property. An estimated 8,000 volunteers for the nonprofit Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association have been collecting signatures across California to put a measure on the November ballot to repeal part of Prop. 19. Approved in...