Running for the Santa Clara County Supervisor seat is somewhat of a personal homecoming for Magdalena Carrasco. A San Jose councilmember since 2015, the lifelong resident has her sight set on returning to the government building she worked in for 11 years of her life as a social worker, campaigning to fill Dave Cortese’s seat...
Audit findings put Santa Clara council, former convention center manager at odds
When Santa Clara councilmembers asked City Manager Deanna Santana to find an auditor to look into potential mismanagement of the city’s convention center, officials already knew who would get the contract. Public documents show that Sacramento-based TAP International submitted a “project approach” for the audit in 2018, nearly a month before the council ordered the...
Jim Zito wants to bring a conservative approach to San Jose City Council
San Jose City Council candidate Jim Zito is regularly asked where his thick accent comes from. Proud of his Brooklyn roots and Italian-American heritage, he is quick to reply. “I’m happy to share my answer,” Zito says on his campaign website. “In the very early 1900s both my mother and father’s parents came to America as...
Vote on Measure C is soon, but resolution could be long time coming
In five days, Santa Clara could have an entirely new district voting system — again. To City Hall insiders, it might feel like déjà vu — the city pushed a similar measure two years ago that failed. To others, it might be downright confusing. But Santa Clara is embarking on a highly contested journey to...
San Jose Councilmember Sylvia Arenas has dedicated her life to public service
An advocate for families and children, District 8 San Jose Councilmember Sylvia Arenas said she is not a politician — she’s a public servant. The distinction is notable — her role as a public servant did not begin when she assumed elected office, rather when she began to dedicate her career to serving a community...
Ruben Navarro wants to make history in San Jose
Ruben Navarro said he doesn’t mind having the odds stacked against him — he’s been “fighting those odds” his whole life. Now, Navarro, along with Jake Tonkel and Marshall Woodmansee, is challenging Councilmember Dev Davis for the San Jose City Council District 6 seat, which covers Willow Glen and the Rose Garden. His launch into...
Santa Clara lawmakers tackle illegal street racing, pedestrian safety plan
The streets and sidewalks of Santa Clara were a top priority during a City Council meeting Tuesday. City lawmakers unanimously approved a plan to tackle illegal street racing, side shows and tire-burning doughnuts around the city. City Manager Deanna Santana will draft an ordinance to address the drivers and spectators of illegal street races and shows. The policy calls for...
San Jose Councilmember Dev Davis has more on her to-do list
Dev Davis is proud of her first four years representing San Jose’s District 6 on the City Council, but says there’s more work to do as she defends her seat from three challengers. The 41-year-old Marvel enthusiast, mother of two and Stanford University graduate said she initially ran because she wanted to bring back lost...
San Jose lawmakers set their top priorities for the new year
The San Jose City Council is grappling with scores of pressing issues, but with little time and limited resources, lawmakers each year must decide which priorities to push forward. Following hours of pitching policy proposals they consider the most imperative for the city’s progress, elected leaders on Tuesday voted to add seven new policies to...
Marshall Woodmansee works to motivate young people on his way to the ballot
Marshall Woodmansee may be the youngest person running for City Council in San Jose, but he speaks with the confidence of someone who has spent years thinking about issues facing the South Bay city. The 19-year-old District 6 native has run one of the most grassroots campaigns in the race so far. He hasn’t locked...