Marching down a narrow neighborhood street with signs reading “Green New Deal Now” and “We Can’t Breathe,” about 20 youth climate activists sought to surprise San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo with an early morning protest outside his home. “No justice, no sleep,” one of the protesters chanted through a megaphone while cars squeezed between the...
Major political changes coming to Santa Clara City Hall
One incumbent councilmember is out. Three new faces are in. And Mayor Lisa Gillmor has lost her stronghold on the Santa Clara City Council. “You’ve got a unique city because they have so much potential in Santa Clara and all of it is being squandered on personality,” said political consultant Rich Robinson. “This election is...
Voter turnout in San Jose’s East Side falls behind West Valley
Education trustee Teresa Castellanos spent weeks going door to door to speak with East Side voters before the Nov. 3 election. To her dismay, many of them told her no one has ever knocked on their door on the campaign trail. “That’s when I realized that there’s a whole electorate that’s not being targeted and not being...
San Jose community leaders challenge Trump with call to count votes — peacefully
As President Donald Trump cast doubt on election results even before all the votes had been tabulated, faith leaders and nonprofits gathered at San Jose City Hall to promote a complete count and a peaceful presidential transition. Scott Myers-Lipton, a sociology professor at San Jose State University and a member of Protect Our Community, said...
Election Day in Santa Clara County sees record turnout
This election saw the public turn out like never before in Santa Clara County. On Nov. 3, about 59,000 people countywide cast ballots in person. Counting mail-in ballots, the Registrar of Voters received more than 692,000 ballots, more than double the numbers from 2016. “We’ve been seeing very high participation numbers,” said Ryan Aralar, spokesperson...
Nation on edge as votes continue to be counted in presidential race
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hundreds began gathering at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. as the sun set on Election Day. The polls weren’t closed, the ballots hadn’t been counted — but the crowd appeared confident President Donald Trump was on his way out. Some danced in the street while the song “Celebration,” blared from...
Landslide victory for police oversight, card room tax in San Jose
San Jose voters have overwhelmingly passed Measures G and H. Measure G, which will in part expand the oversight of San Jose’s civilian watchdog, was approved by 78.1% of voters in a landslide victory. “I’m grateful to our San Jose voters and San Jose police officers who overwhelmingly supported Measure G,” Mayor Sam Liccardo said....
Councilmember Dev Davis races ahead of Jake Tonkel in San Jose council race
San Jose Councilmember Dev Davis faced the biggest re-election challenge of her career — but she appears to be headed to back to City Hall for another four years. With 100% precincts reporting by 5 p.m. Nov. 5, Davis held the lead with 53.9% of the vote. Tonkel has 46.1% of the vote. There is...
Otto Lee charges ahead of Chu in Santa Clara County supervisorial race
After being out of office for nine years, former Sunnyvale Mayor Otto Lee appears to be headed for victory in the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors race. Chu faced Assemblymember Kansen Chu in the District 3 race. Lee is ahead with 60.2% of the vote as of 5 p.m. Nov. 5. Chu trailed with...
Watanabe set to retain Santa Clara City Council seat while Park leads O’Neill
With all precincts reporting in Santa Clara’s District 1 race, Kathy Watanabe appeared to have maintained her City Council seat with 53.9% of the vote, or 1,964 votes, versus challenger Harbir Bhatia’s 46.1%, or 1,681 votes, as of midnight. But challenger Kevin Park was ahead of longtime Santa Clara Councilmember Teresa O’Neill in District 4....