Gov. Gavin Newsom has made a last-minute endorsement in Silicon Valley’s contested race for Congressional District 16. Newsom is backing state Assemblymember Evan Low in his campaign against former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. The endorsement makes sense to political observers who say the two worked together as Low began his tenure in the Assembly...
Milpitas police investigating defaced election signs as hate crime
Two Asian-American candidates in Milpitas have become targets of hate crimes and have had their political signs defaced. Milpitas City Council candidate Bill Chuan and Councilmember Hon Lien, who is running for the mayoral seat, had their campaign banners defaced with anti-Asian language. “NO ASIANS” was spray-painted over Chuan’s banner on Barber Lane. Alongside it, “NO...
Fast-food and unions are funding this Silicon Valley contest
The fight between business and labor interests is finding ground in the race for District 2 on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Special interest groups have collectively spent $1.2 million to elect either former San Jose Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen or Betty Duong, chief of staff for District 2 Supervisor Cindy Chavez, who...
Silicon Valley candidate apologizes for egging car
With one week until the election, a years-old video showing Tara Sreekrishnan egging a Cupertino resident’s car has resurfaced, moving some to raise concerns about her run for state Assembly. Sreekrishnan, a candidate for the contentious Assembly District 26 seat, egged the car of a Cupertino resident who she felt made offensive comments regarding her...
Silicon Valley ad campaign ties candidates to embattled official
A text campaign attacking two labor-backed candidates for their prior association with embattled San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres is popping up on phones across Santa Clara County — a political play some are deeming dirty with the election just a week away. The advertisements show pictures of San Jose City Council District 2 candidate Pamela...
Former San Jose mayor pulls endorsement of education official
A dispute is deepening over Santa Clara County’s top education leaders — one of whom just lost her reelection endorsement from former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo amid the firing of county Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan. Liccardo — who’s vying for Congressional District 16 — on Thursday confirmed he withdrew his endorsement for...
49ers spend millions in Santa Clara council races
Special interest groups have sunk millions of dollars into November’s Santa Clara city elections to decide its future government. The San Francisco 49ers have spent the most money supporting who the team wants sitting on the City Council, burning $2.3 million so far. Other special interest groups include the Santa Clara Police Officers Association, Santa...
Will Cupertino City Council’s majority flip?
Two opposing candidate duos are trying to nab the two available Cupertino City Council seats to have power over one of the city’s most divisive issues — development. Councilmember Kitty Moore and former Planning Commissioner R “Ray” Wang, want to flip the existing development-friendly council majority, while Councilmember Hung Wei and former Mayor Rod Sinks...
San Jose cop turned candidate has fraud case dismissed
A San Jose police sergeant faced with mortgage fraud allegations has had his case dismissed, potentially improving his chances in his bid for a City Council seat. Tam Troung, who was charged by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office with a single count of grand theft on Sept. 5, had his case moved to...
Former San Jose mayor holds large funding lead ahead of Election Day
Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo has widened the gap between himself and his congressional opponent in their race to represent Silicon Valley. Both candidates for Congressional District 16 have filed their last scheduled campaign finance papers before Election Day, and Liccardo has raised $2.1 million more than state Assemblymember Evan Low throughout the race...