As the country grappled with the police killing of George Floyd, San Jose found itself at the center of widespread protests, confrontational policing and conversations about police brutality, racial bias and First Amendment rights of protesters and journalists. What has San Jose — its people, elected leaders and civic institutions — learned from a season...
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....
Dave Cortese leads in Senate District 15 race
Dave Cortese, the 30-year veteran of Santa Clara County politics, will soon bring those skills to Sacramento, representing California’s Senate District 15. As of 9 a.m. Nov. 4, Cortese has a solid lead over rival Ann Ravel, winning 53.8% of the vote. Ravel garnered 46.1% of the vote with 58% of the ballots counted. In...
Alex Lee wins race for 25th Assembly seat
With all precincts reporting, Alex Lee declared victory Nov. 4, becoming the first openly bisexual member of the California State Assembly. “I’m deeply grateful to the diverse communities of Assembly District 25,” said Lee. “The significance of our victory is part of a bigger, progressive movement ready to fight for a better future for all...
Jain, Becker hold on to leads in Santa Clara Districts 5, 6 council races
The morning after the election, a major shift in Santa Clara City Council politics was taking shape with newcomers holding on to their leads. As of 9 a.m. Nov. 4 and 58% of ballots counted, Suds Jain appeared to be firmly ahead in District 5 while Anthony Becker was on top in District 6. With...