When New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg mounted a short-lived run for president in 2020, then-San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo became his campaign co-chair and first major California endorsement. The relationship between the two former mayors has spanned nearly a decade — from Liccardo’s early city hall days to Bloomberg now funding his path to Congress....
Ex-San Jose mayor hit with second federal elections complaint
A new federal elections complaint accuses congressional candidate and former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo of hiding his affiliation with a super PAC that paid for a controversial recount that narrowed his competition in the November runoff. The complaint filed by Bay Area attorney Brian O’Grady says the super PAC behind the recount — known...
Bloomberg helped fund Silicon Valley congressional recount
New financial disclosures are peeling back the curtain on who helped fund the recent Congressional District 16 recount — starting with former New York City Mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg. A super PAC called Neighbors for Results, which Bloomberg infused with $500,000 in February, paid $102,000 to another super PAC called Count the Vote between April...
Ex-San Jose mayor criticizes Democratic Party process after it endorses rival
After losing his party’s endorsement by a single vote, congressional candidate Sam Liccardo is taking aim at the California Democratic Party. A lifelong Democrat, Liccardo didn’t mince words criticizing the party’s process and accusing leaders of hijacking votes on Tuesday to endorse his opponent, Assemblymember Evan Low. He criticized Low’s connections in elite Democratic circles and the...
Former Silicon Valley congressional challenger faces federal complaint
The unsuccessful March primary challenger to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is facing a federal election complaint for connections to a fake newspaper that appeared on the doorsteps of South Bay residents earlier this year. A political action committee known as Defend the Vote is calling on the Federal Election Commission to investigate the South Bay Chronicle,...
South Bay Dems demand disclosure of congressional recount funders
The Santa Clara County Democratic Party has joined retiring Congresswoman Anna Eshoo in demanding transparency behind a controversial recount in the race for her seat. The party’s Central Committee on Thursday voted unanimously for a resolution demanding the identities of donors behind a shadowy super PAC paying for the Congressional District 16 recount. The recount cost...
BREAKING: Joe Simitian concedes after Silicon Valley congressional recount
Assemblymember Evan Low has won a contentious and highly-politicized recount in Silicon Valley’s open congressional race, beating Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian for second place by five votes. Of the 16 challenged ballots in San Mateo County’s portion of the recount, election officials accepted seven and rejected nine. Low picked up one vote and...
Silicon Valley congressional recount closing in on final tally
The recount to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo’s congressional seat is coming to a close, but it will still be days before results are finalized. Santa Clara County, which represents 80% of Congressional District 16, is almost done rescanning all of its ballots. San Mateo County completed its rescanning on Wednesday. Still, dozens of challenged ballots...
Silicon Valley congressional recount can’t be refunded
A week after an expensive and highly-criticized recount of ballots began in a tied congressional race, the California Secretary of State says the requester will not get his money back. Santa Clara and San Mateo counties jointly sought guidance from the state about whether the recount requester, Jonathan Padilla, would get reimbursed if the Congressional...
Silicon Valley Congressional District 16 re-examines uncounted ballots
Several uncounted ballots are undergoing additional review as part of the Silicon Valley congressional race recount. Jonathan Padilla, the requestor behind the recount for California’s Congressional District 16 race to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo, said 20 ballots have been “improperly excluded from the count.” Padilla’s request comes after Assemblymember Evan Low and Joe Simitian tied...