Jake Tonkel wants to disrupt the status quo in San Jose politics
He joined the Peace Corps, learned Arabic in Morocco, made life-changing prosthetics, took a stand against Wall Street banks — and he hasn’t even hit 30. Now Jake Tonkel, 29, is topping off his 20s by running for San Jose City Council District 6 against incumbent Dev Davis to bring what he learned about caring...
Ex-employees allege San Jose councilmember used city staff to aid his reelection campaign
Two former employees of San Jose Councilmember Lan Diep told San José Spotlight the District 4 representative is using his elected office staff and public resources to support his reelection campaign. In general, using taxpayer dollars and government resources for campaign purposes is not permitted and is considered a misuse of public funds. The City...
UPDATE: San Jose City Council approves adding more bike lanes across city
Biking in San Jose is about to get a lot safer — and easier — for residents. The City Council on Oct. 6 unanimously approved the Better Bike Plan 2025, which would prioritize rider safety while increasing the amount of bike lanes, bike parking and bike sharing services citywide. The bike network would also help...
Dev Davis finds way to San Jose, wants to stay as District 6 council rep
Councilmember Dev Davis never pictured herself as a politician. She came from hardworking stock — the daughter of a school teacher and a truck driver who hauled farming equipment. At age 10, Davis got her own job delivering newspapers and didn’t know much about the world outside her North Dakota home. “I didn’t really even...
Strange bedfellows? Carl Guardino endorses Dave Cortese
Carl Guardino once raised six figures to defeat Dave Cortese’s bid for mayor. Now he wants to see him go to Sacramento. Guardino, the powerful former CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, has endorsed Cortese’s bid for the Senate District 15 seat. Cortese, a Santa Clara County supervisor, is competing with former FEC commissioner...
Lan Diep wants 4 more years to keep paying it forward on San Jose City Council
As the first-born son of Vietnamese American refugees, Lan Diep prides himself on taking advantage of the opportunity given to him by his parents. “Lan was raised with a profound sense of gratitude for his life in America. His parents reminded him … they were much more fortunate than countless other refugees whose ships never...
Election guide: Voting in Santa Clara County
With Election Day little more than a month away, it’s time to make sure you’re registered to vote, you know what will be on the Nov. 3 ballot and how to cast your ballot. To register, go to www.registertovote.ca.gov. Voters must also re-register to vote if they are changing political parties. All registered voters in...
UPDATE: San Jose council OKs anti-displacement plan to protect renters, landlords
Amid a housing crisis exacerbated by COVID-19, San Jose leaders approved a 10-part plan to provide rent relief and give nonprofits first dibs on property that goes on the market. The anti-displacement plan was approved Sept. 23 past the 12 a.m. curfew in a 10-1 vote. Councilmember Johnny Khamis cast the lone dissenting vote. Displacement...
San Jose candidates for local, state offices face off on racial justice, affordable housing
Eight South Bay candidates competing in state and local races tackled questions on economic recovery, climate change, racial justice, housing and transportation in a two-and-a-half hour discussion hosted by San José Spotlight. The Sept.16 forum was held virtually and moderated by City Hall reporter Carly Wipf and Michael Lane, San Jose director for SPUR. The forum...