By Robert Haugh
Satish Chandra, a former Santa Clara City Council candidate and active Northside community leader, is questioning mayoral candidate Gary Ferraris’ switch from Republican to Democratic registration and whether the change was motivated by political conviction or political opportunity.
Chandra has already acted on those concerns.
Working with former Santa Clara Unified School Board Member Chris Stampolis, Chandra helped stop a recommendation to endorse Ferraris when it came before the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee on Sept. 3.
Stampolis is a long-time Democratic activist and a former Democratic National Committee Delegate.
Chandra and Stampolis were successful.
Ferraris did not receive the county Democratic Party’s endorsement for Mayor. The party’s current 2026 endorsement list has none in the Mayor’s race.
“I personally fought this issue inside the Santa Clara County Democratic Party because I did not believe Gary Ferraris should automatically receive a sole Democratic endorsement without serious scrutiny of his political history and record,” Chandra told Santa Clara News Online.
“To me, Gary Ferraris’ recent shift from Republican registration to Democratic registration raises serious questions about political consistency and whether this was a matter of genuinely changing political beliefs or political opportunism,” Chandra said.
Another Democratic source was more pointed.
The source, who requested anonymity because of fear of retaliation within the local Democratic Party, characterized Ferraris and his wife as “MAGA” or “MAGA-friendly.”
SCNO has not verified that characterization. The source also questioned the timing of Ferraris’ party switch.
“He was a Republican for years at least through 2020, possibly 2022 so he was happily on the GOP rolls through at least Trump’s first term.”
“He seems to have discovered a new political identity just in time for a mayoral run. Did the 49ers pollster tell him to do it?” the source said.
Chandra said people can legitimately change political parties and that a registration change by itself should not disqualify a candidate.
“But when that change occurs close to seeking political office and party endorsement, it is fair to ask whether the change reflects conviction or political calculation,” Chandra said.
Check out Armando/Gary’s Form 460. For someone who lives in Santa Clara and worked in Santa Clara for 15 years as Armando has claimed, he sure doesn’t have a lot of support of his local friends. Gee. Maybe they are Oakland Raider fans.
That’s why I never understood the SC Dems and some of the Young Dems support of this man. SC Dems even endorsed Kimberly Williams, who is also bought out by the billionaire Jed York. It made me really question their morals and their credibility on progressing as a county and standing on what matters.
Susan Ellenberg is supporting this puppet? That’s disappointing.
Who Is Gary Ferraris Really Working For?
In 2025, Gary Ferraris quietly switched his voter registration from Republican to Democrat. That same year, he began meeting with the San Francisco 49ers. Today the 49ers’ political operation is lined up behind his run for Mayor, and the labor unions endorsing him appear never to have been told the full story about the candidate they’re backing. (He nearly had the Democratic endorsement as well if it not for a few brave Democrats who cried foul in the meeting).
Santa Clara voters deserve straight answers:
• When did Gary Ferraris begin talking with the 49ers, and what did he promise them?
• Did he tell the unions and party leaders about his party switch before they endorsed him?
• When the 49ers’ interests and Santa Clara taxpayers’ interests collide, and they have, which side will he be on?
Even Supervisor Susan Ellenberg has climbed aboard. Voters can be forgiven for wondering whether she’s endorsing a mayoral candidate or auditioning for Jed York’s support in her next race.
Meanwhile, the Ferraris campaign is working hard to keep its candidate out of sight. He avoids public forums. He avoids unscripted questions. When he does speak, he reads from his phone. That isn’t a strategy for leading a city. It’s a strategy for hiding a candidate who has never held public office, never served on a city board or commission, and has shown little grasp of how Santa Clara actually works.
Santa Clara is not a subsidiary of the 49ers. Our next mayor must answer to residents, not to Jed York. Gary Ferraris owes this city a public appearance and honest answers. Until he provides them, voters should draw their own conclusions.
It should be noted that this is the same team that supported Colin Kaepernick in his 2016 fight with the President.
If I were o guess. I imagine the owner feels vulnerable, considering the Presidents long memory, and his most recent arrest
Jebs mistake after he attempted to buy a “nude girl” for himself. Was Jeb doing something himself. This stands out to me as it is very uncharacteristic. From what I have observed he always has other people do things for him. What was it about buying a “Nude Girl” that made him feel the need to do it himself? Would it be just that damning for someone to do it for him and have that knowledge of the transaction?
Either way, it is common knowledge that when folks are in a potential pickle appeasing the president is best way to get out of it. Maybe Uncle Jeb is having premonitions of future turbulence.
Reposting this comment from SJ Spotlight.
PJ Brown
Aug 20, 2026 at 11:15PM
Gary is a MAGA Republican. He and his wife have been hardcore Trump supporters since 2016. I can’t believe the South Bay Labor Council, among others, would support a MAGA candidate during times like these. He is the last person we need as Santa Clara’s mayor.
Not to mention, he is 100% a 49ers candidate. Ellie Caple from the 49ers has openly talked about how the team is backing Gary and Kimberly in all of our upcoming races in Santa Clara, already showing treasonous behavior. Elijah Lefkow, also from the 49ers, has built a close relationship with Dave Bini from SBLC, and that’s how SBLC is endorsing these illegitimate candidates for these positions. Sad news.
South Bay Labor Council endorsed Kimberly Williams too, who also is backed by the 49ers. They have no backbone in what matters
Crazy as it may sound…. the 49ers might have been better to waste our money by backing Convicted Felon Becker at this point!
That is saying a lot without saying a lot…..
Just The Fact’s Ma’am
Boy…the Niners sure did not do their homework on this guy! In their need to keep control of the council they dropped the ball. No pun intended