San Jose mayor endorses predecessor for Congress

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is endorsing the city’s former leader in the race for the first open Silicon Valley congressional seat in two decades.

Mahan is endorsing former Mayor Sam Liccardo to represent California’s 16th congressional district, a contest crowded with big names competing to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo, who announced her retirement at the end of last year.

“As mayor of San Jose, Sam Liccardo wasn’t afraid to put forward innovative ideas,” Mahan said in a statement. “He fought tirelessly to expand the number of interim housing sites in our city and, as a result, hundreds of unhoused residents tonight are sleeping with a roof over their heads.”

Liccardo — who endorsed Mahan when he ran to replace him in 2022 — said he’s honored to receive Mahan’s support for his congressional run.

“The problems San Jose — and the entire 16th District — face aren’t ones we can solve in silos,” Liccardo said. “Homelessness is not a ‘San Jose’ problem; housing costs are not a ‘Bay Area’ problem; crime is not a ‘California’ problem — these are national problems and we need to be united to move forward.”

Mahan marks the first endorsement Liccardo has announced since he entered the race.

Several of the dozen-plus candidates have publicized winning support from politicos on the state and national stages, including Eshoo backing Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian; Assemblymember Evan Low having support from Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, Sen. Laphonza Butler and Rep. Ro Khanna; and Palo Alto Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims, the only woman and Black person in the race, gaining an endorsement from Sen. Cory Booker.