Brandon Pho - San José Spotlight

Brandon Pho (he/him) is a reporter covering politics and government in Santa Clara County for San José Spotlight with a focus on the Vietnamese community.

He has experience reporting on law enforcement, homelessness, quality of life and Vietnamese American communities across California. Previously, he reported for the Voice of OC, where his investigative work prompted a push by city leaders to overhaul their police department manual. Before that, he was a news editor for the Daily Titan, a completely independent student newspaper at his alma mater, Cal State Fullerton.

He aims through his writing to explore what it means to be a Californian, and enjoys taking walks for hours on end through different cities and public parks.

Elections The Washington Report

Composite photo of Assemblymember Evan Low and former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo

May 15, 2024May 16, 2024by Brandon Pho

Ex-San Jose mayor criticizes Democratic Party process after it endorses rival

After losing his party’s endorsement by a single vote, congressional candidate Sam Liccardo is taking aim at the California Democratic Party. A lifelong Democrat, Liccardo didn’t mince words criticizing the party’s process and accusing leaders of hijacking votes on Tuesday to endorse his opponent, Assemblymember Evan Low. He criticized Low’s connections in elite Democratic circles and the...

Economy Homelessness

Protesters stand with signs outside San Jose City Hall

May 14, 2024May 15, 2024by Brandon Pho

UPDATE: San Jose residents speak out against diverting affordable housing funds

In the face of the growing housing crisis, San Jose residents are urging elected officials to preserve funds for permanent affordable housing. The San Jose City Council is considering reallocating housing funds from Measure E, a property transfer tax approved by voters in 2020, to instead support and shelter homeless residents in the short term....

Environment Homelessness

May 14, 2024May 15, 2024by Brandon Pho

‘Absolutely stunned’: San Jose mayor inflates costs of not sweeping homeless camps

State officials are contradicting claims made by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan in his push to redirect affordable housing money to homeless sweeps and shelters. Mahan has argued the city faces $60,000 in daily fines per pollutant if the city doesn’t address pollution from homeless encampments near creeks by June 2025. It’s driving his renewed...

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