By Robert Haugh
The Santa Clara City Council races are set for the November election. The deadline for filing was last Friday, August 9, 2024.
The deadline to file for Police Chief and City Clerk is this coming Friday. The incumbents Pat Nikolai and Hossam Haggag did not file so the deadline was extended.
District One
Councilmember Kathy Watanabe is termed out, so this is an open seat. She’s endorsed businessman Satish Chandra to succeed her.
Chandra was on the Charter Review Commission in 2023 and opposed the 49er Five’s effort to take away Santa Clarans’ right to elect our Police Chief and City Clerk.
Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Harbir Bhatia filed to run. Watanabe defeated Bhatia four years ago. The 49ers spent $1 million on an independent expenditure to help Bhatia and she still lost.
Also filing is Santa Clara Unified School District Board Trustee Albert Gonzalez who the 49ers reportedly asked to move into the district to run.
It’ll be interesting to see if the team supports Bhatia again or Gonzalez.
District Four
Councilmember Kevin Park is running for re-election. He’ll face former Councilmember Teresa O’Neill who he defeated in 2020 with the help of $1 million 49er independent expenditure.
Since he’s been on the Council, Park has repaid the team. According to the Grand Jury, he sided with the 49ers over residents numerous times costing the City millions of dollars.
District Five
Councilmember Suds Jain is running for re-election. He’ll face newcomer David Kertes, a businessman and coach at Westside Little League and Santa Clara Youth Soccer League.
The 49ers also helped Jain win his seat four years ago with a $1 million independent expenditure. According to the Grand Jury, Jain also sided with the 49ers over residents numerous times costing the City millions of dollars.
District Six
Indicted Councilmember Anthony Becker filed for re-election last week and he starts his trial this week. No kidding. This will be the first time in Santa Clara history that a candidate runs for office while being tried for felony perjury. Becker may not run a campaign. Local political and legal experts think Becker is just positioning himself for a plea deal because DA Jeff Rosen’s case against him is so strong.
But Becker will be on the ballot.
So will Kelly Cox. She’s the former Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission and an Assistant Dean at Santa Clara University’s School of Engineering.
A third candidate will be on the ballot. George Guerra is a former Parks and Recreation Commissioner, too, and also served as Chair.
Guerra’s nomination papers weren’t available on the Clerk’s website so Santa Clara News Online (SCNO) will report more about him later.
SCNO will also report about the candidates for Police Chief and City Clerk where there will be some interesting candidates and some potential controversy.
Editor’s note: A small correction was made at 3:44 pm on day of publication.
I wish there were only two candidates for dist 1 and 6. A split vote is likely to benefit the 49er backed candidates. It would be nice if they stayed out of it but what are the chances?
VOTING BEGINS OCTOBER 7, 2024
KERTES
COX
O’NEILL
CHANDRA
WATANABE SCHOOL BOARD
OWENS WEST VALLEY
Hope you don’t mind if I post some clues about candidates. It’ll all come to light in time.
I know a dark secluded place
I place where no one knows your face
A glass of wine, a fast embrace
It’s called “Fernando’s” Hideaway — Olay!
— the Riddler
On the Paul Fong front:
WARNING LETTER FROM FPPC
Fong received 49ers tickets. Kevin Sloan 49ers lobbyist who received a heavy fine.
Robert — here’s a serious question. Are police chiefs allowed to have a side business? What if it’s something that deals with NFL players — like you know those who work for an owner that’s trying to screw the Mission City? Asking for a friend.
Candidates need good judgement, can’t be making bad policy decisions. Then blame subordinates. Then cost the department and city lots of money. And have a court documents that expose the coverup. AND CANT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INNOCENT PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU HATE THEM.
I disagree with a lot of people. It is my nature.
But I do assume many readers of this blog are intelligent. It is a fact.
So here is the logic problem for you all.
SUDS JAIN
VOTE EXPERIENCE.
Now Mr. Kertes and many of his allies speak of transparency.
That is good. Lisa Gillmor is championing that.
It is very good and very important.
Does Jain have JUDGEMENT?
+Arranges 67 secret meetings with 49ers.
+sponsors two FAILED CHARTER AMENDMENTS opposed by 68 percent.
+advocates against public records
+hides Becker’s admissions of perjury
+throws out a parks and rec commissioner
+calls the readers of this blog dumb
+tries to get parking at soccer park for 49ers
+wants to eliminate free parking
+follow mayor with camera phone
THIS IS GOOD JUDGEMENT???
May I point out Paul Fong, long tine carpetbagger, is running against established WEST VALLEY COLLEGE BOARD member Robert Owens. Fong has gone from Sinnyvale to Cupertino from Foothill De Anza to legislature and back again. Owens good supporter of Watanabe and thoughtful college board member.
Paul Fong is a pothead and lazy a$$! He’s
no friend to Santa Clara and no friend of
Mission College. He’s a shill for the unions
put up to run against Owens. Fong called
Santa Clara a racist city in 2020. He’s a pothead,
a carpetbagger and a lazy bum!
Just say NO to Paul Fong!
Hi Robert, just a correction I was chair for one year on the Parks and Rec Commission. The chair position rotates every year so all commissioners get a chance to be chair. Thanks
George Guerra