The country’s top political leaders are weighing in on who should fill an open Silicon Valley congressional seat. California Sen. Laphonza Butler is the latest national leader to voice who should represent the state’s 16th congressional district — and her pick is Assemblymember Evan Low. Gov. Gavin Newsom selected Butler to fill the seat in...
San Jose lawsuit sparks legislation to bolster government transparency
From Stockton to Anaheim and San Jose, government officials across California use personal email accounts and texts to do the public’s business—and those messages often never see the light of day because public agencies can’t access them. Now, a San Jose legislator is working to change that. State Sen. Dave Cortese on Monday introduced a...
‘Disgraceful’: San Jose struggles with records law years after landmark case
In the six years since San Jose made national headlines for losing a pivotal lawsuit that changed state transparency laws, the city’s been sued over public records numerous times and paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to settle. An analysis by San José Spotlight found the city faced at least six lawsuits—half from news organizations—accusing...
South Bay boosters want bigger bump from 2026 Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is returning to the South Bay in 2026, and local movers and shakers hope to get the region more shine than it received last time around, when San Francisco drew the lion’s share of the fans and revenue. Some leaders suggest San Jose and its boosters should work to undercut and outcompete...
Silicon Valley congressional candidate gets first endorsement from U.S. senator
One candidate running for an open Silicon Valley congressional seat is getting support from the national stage. U.S. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker is endorsing Palo Alto Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims in her campaign for California’s 16th congressional district. Booker is the first African-American senator from New Jersey and previously served as mayor of Newark from 2006...
Editorial: San Jose primary voters could shape city government
The door for filing to run in the March 2024 primary election closed mid-December, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has just one little-known challenger. His reelection to a four-year term should be a lock, even though his political sway may not be. That’s because the mayor is only one of 11 votes on the...
Powerful PAC supports several San Jose candidates
A political action committee that supports local pro-business candidates has announced its endorsements for next year’s San Jose City Council and mayoral elections. Silicon Valley Biz PAC is putting its weight behind incumbent Mayor Matt Mahan for another term leading the city. For the council seats, the Biz PAC is endorsing Joe Lopez, a retired sheriff’s...
Robinson: Past results, current predictions
As a political consultant, people ask me what I believe is going to happen. Mostly, I don’t know. But when I have opined on politics it has often proven true. I’ve also been wrong in the past, but I’m more than 75% correct. For instance, I predicted Donald Trump would be the Republican nominee in...
Will demographics dictate Silicon Valley’s next congressmember?
The race to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo is one of the most contested and closely watched elections of the season. With less than 50 days before voting begins, the district’s demographics may show which candidates have an advantage. Since Eshoo announced her retirement in November, more than a dozen politicos jumped at the once in...
Here’s who’s running for San Jose City Council and mayor
In about three months, San Jose residents will go to the ballot box to pick their next councilmembers and mayor. While the city’s top seat is up for grabs, most of the money and focus will be on council races this election season. Half of the San Jose City Council’s seats—all the even-numbered districts—are up...