Directors of a Santa Clara County water district want to extend their term limits, even as some members cast doubts about the cost and necessity. Valley Water’s board of directors voted 4-3 last month to put a measure on the June primary election ballot asking voters to approve an extension of how long directors can serve on...
Santa Clara County sheriff responds to corruption accusation
Months after being accused of corrupt misconduct by a civil grand jury, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith has finally issued a defiant response. According to court papers filed on Tuesday, Smith argues four of the seven counts in the accusation against her are legally insufficient and should be dismissed. “I am gratified that the...
Silicon Valley labor leaders endorse some, snub others
Silicon Valley’s powerful labor lobby has unveiled its 2022 endorsements—and there are a few surprises and notable snubs. The South Bay Labor Council, which comprises more than 100 unions across the valley, announced a sole endorsement Tuesday for Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez in the San Jose mayor’s race. The group didn’t back Councilmember...
Poll: Peralez slightly leads in San Jose mayor’s race
A new poll released Tuesday shows San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez and Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez are leading the mayoral race in the heart of Silicon Valley—with Peralez having a slight edge over Chavez. New polling data of likely June 2022 primary voters, conducted by polling firm Tulchin Research and paid for by Peralez’s campaign,...
Calls intensify for Silicon Valley’s Gary Kremen to resign
A growing number of elected officials and community leaders are calling for Gary Kremen to resign from public office. This comes after this news organization reported allegations about inappropriate behavior from a former staffer on his assessor campaign. Kremen, who chairs Valley Water’s board and founded Match.com, announced he was dropping out of the Santa...
Democratic club chooses Chavez for San Jose mayor
The Silicon Valley Democratic Club has overwhelmingly endorsed Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez in her campaign for San Jose mayor, with an 85% vote. On Monday, the club held a mayoral forum where candidates San Jose Councilmembers Matt Mahan and Raul Peralez along with former congressional candidate Jonathan Royce Esteban and Chavez answered six questions...
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...