San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is touting a new optimistic poll in his struggle to leave the back of the pack in the crowded race for California governor. An internal poll of 900 likely primary voters — 100 of whom were Republicans and 800 described by the survey as “open to Democratic candidates” — says...
Is Matt Mahan’s campaign for California governor losing steam?
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s late entry into the California governor’s race met immediate fanfare in Silicon Valley two months ago. But reports of internal tension, a top strategist’s exit, a curious fundraising scheme and persistent low polling suggest his billionaire-paved road to Sacramento may turn to gravel. Since his Jan. 29 campaign announcement, Mahan...
San Jose District 7 candidates square off at public forum
District 7 voters got an early look at the candidates running to represent them on the San Jose City Council at a Thursday candidate forum, the first to be held in the district this election cycle. The four candidates facing off in the June 2 primary — incumbent Councilmember Bien Doan, City Hall staffer Hanh-Giao...
Silicon Valley’s tech world takes center stage in state politics
From a wide-open governor’s race to a bitter congressional contest, Santa Clara County has emerged as a key battleground in the tech industry’s bid to control California politics — and shield billionaires from a wealth tax. Two electoral fights have shaped the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” into combative territory. In the 17th Congressional District, incumbent...
Silicon Valley congressional race grapples with integrity
Integrity has become the theme of Silicon Valley’s hottest congressional race between Rep. Ro Khanna and his challenger, Ethan Agarwal, who’s ripped into Khanna over family ties to stock trading. Yet questions are emerging about Agarwal’s own past as a tech company founder — dogged by millions of dollars in legal debts, defaulted payments and...
Meet the candidates running for District 7 San Jose City Council
Election season is in full swing in San Jose District 7, where incumbent Councilmember Bien Doan is squaring off against three challengers, including two bitter rivals. The three challengers aiming to unseat Doan include City Hall staffer Hanh-Giao “HG” Nguyen, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union member Rafael Garcia and Van Le, an East Side Union...
Will Matt Mahan’s solutions to homelessness work for California?
If San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan becomes California’s next governor, policy experts say some homeless solutions he has implemented in Silicon Valley’s largest city could work — but others may fall flat. Mahan has scaled up production of tiny homes, more than doubling the number of beds it operates last year to get people off...
Cupertino to poll residents on potential tax increase
Cupertino officials are asking residents if they’re willing to pay more taxes, as the city faces mounting financial pressures and rising service costs. The City Council on Tuesday directed staff to poll residents on a potential increase to the city’s utility users tax, signaling that as the most likely path toward placing a measure on...
Only two Santa Clara County races are competitive
Several top Santa Clara County officials are running for reelection unchallenged this year — but two incumbents will have to fight for their county-level seats. District Attorney Jeff Rosen and District 1 Supervisor Sylvia Arenas — whose district covers Morgan Hill, Gilroy, unincorporated San Martin and portions of South San Jose — will have to...
Silicon Valley tax would raise funds to protect open space
Santa Clara County residents will vote on yet another tax measure this year — but instead of hospitals, they’ll be asked to help expand public access and protect wildlife along Silicon Valley’s sweeping foothills, woodlands and grasslands. Voters in June will be asked to accept a tax of two cents per square foot of building...