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Despite a push from community advocates to align San Jose’s mayoral election with the presidential election cycle, the votes to make the change just weren’t there on Tuesday. Mayor Sam Liccardo, Vice Mayor Chappie Jones and Councilmembers Lan Diep, Pam Foley, Johnny Khamis and Dev Davis voted against the measure, citing concerns that the presidential...
Silicon Valley Democratic Club endorses Kimberly Ellis for state party chair
Candidates running for Chair of the California Democratic Party swung by the South Bay to answer questions at a forum on Monday — each making the case for why they are fit for the role. Following the hourlong candidate forum, the Silicon Valley Democratic Club voted to endorse Kimberly Ellis, a progressive activist and former...
Sam Liccardo won’t support measure to extend his mayoral term
“It’s one of those areas of reform that is fairly easy to make, but can have a pretty big difference in the level of civic participation in our local elections,” said San Jose State political science professor Garrick Percival. The initiative has garnered support from notable local groups and figures, including former Federal Elections Commission...
Labor leaders eye Johnny Khamis’ seat, endangering mayor’s agenda
After nearly a decade of conservative leadership, Jenny Higgins Bradanini says San Jose’s affluent Almaden Valley is ready for a change. “I’m definitely more progressive than Johnny Khamis and I think District 10 is ready for a progressive voice,” said Bradanini, 55, president of Women’s March San Jose, who this week announced her run for...
Santa Clara County lawmakers express concern with costs of all-mail election
Santa Clara County lawmakers on Tuesday debated a plan to roll out all-mail elections in 2020 and replace precinct polling places with 125 “vote centers” that would be open much for up to 11 days before Election Day. Some supervisors however, expressed doubt, citing the biggest drawback to the plan — its price tag. “I’m...
Secretary of State Alex Padilla talks 2020 elections with immigration leaders
As Democrats flood into the 2020 presidential election, many local elections officials and advocacy organizations are gearing up to ensure immigrant voters in the South Bay get informed and to the polls. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Wednesday stopped by the Services, Immigrant Rights and, and Education Network (SIREN) office to discuss immigrant advocacy, 2020 election preparations and...
San Jose Councilmember Lan Diep draws a challenger
Councilman Captain America has drawn at least one re-election challenger. San Jose’s most eccentric lawmaker, Lan Diep, will face Huy Tran, the housing commissioner he appointed, and potentially Berryessa school trustee David Cohen, in his re-election bid next year. Diep was narrowly elected to the San Jose City Council in June 2016 by 12 votes. He unseated...
Ann Ravel joins the Senate race to replace Jim Beall
After months of speculation, former FEC commissioner Ann Ravel on Monday jumped into the race to replace Silicon Valley Senator Jim Beall next year. “I care a lot about California, and I want to do things that are in the public interest,” Ravel said in an interview with San José Spotlight on Monday. “I’m interested only...
Magdalena Carrasco jumps into crowded supervisorial race
Magdalena Carrasco, the dynamic lawmaker who broke the mold as San Jose’s vice mayor, is running for county supervisor in what’s shaping up to be a crowded field of high-profile candidates. “This feels like a very natural step for me,” Carrasco said in an interview Monday. “It really feels like the next step in the...
Johnny Khamis jumps into state Senate race
Several prominent politicians are lining up to replace termed-out state Sen. Jim Beall in an election that’s more than a year away. San Jose Councilman Johnny Khamis, a former Republican who fled the party in June over Donald Trump’s immigration policies, confirmed that he’ll run for the seat. Khamis discussed the idea with political consultant...