By Robert Haugh

The 49ers used polling and opposition research to evaluate potential Santa Clara candidates, according to a reliable source who spoke to Santa Clara News Online (SCNO).

The source requested anonymity because of fear of retribution from the 49ers.

According to the source, the team’s 2024 polling showed that Councilmember Raj Chahal was the strongest potential Mayoral candidate among the 49er friendly Santa Clara Councilmembers.

But Chahal ultimately decided not to run for mayor for personal reasons, the source said.

The team’s polling reportedly identified political problems for Karen Hardy.

According to the source, the 49ers believed Hardy’s membership on the Republican Central Committee would hurt her in Santa Clara. 

Only about 16 percent of voters in the Mission City are registered Republicans.

The source also said 49ers opposition researcher Tim Hoekstra discovered that Hardy’s husband, Mark Hardy, had made a financial contribution supporting Proposition 8.

Proposition 8 was the controversial 2008 California ballot measure that amended the state Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman would be recognized in California. It passed but was later invalidated by the courts.

According to the source, the 49ers believed the contribution could create another political problem for Hardy with Democratic voters.

After Chahal decided not to run, the source says the team turned to Santa Clara labor leader Gary Ferraris.

The source alleges the 49ers recruited Ferraris and encouraged him to change his voter registration from Republican to Democrat.

“They knew Karen Hardy wouldn’t change her registration and she had too much conservative stuff to cover up,” the source told SCNO. “Gary was easier and willing to do it for their financial support.”

Ferraris changed his registration from Republican to Democrat in January 2025.

The team has rewarded Ferraris with $1,872,411.84 that they put into an independent expenditure committee supporting him for Mayor and opposing David Kertes and Kathy Watanabe. 

There was one late development the source says the 49ers did not want: Kevin Park entering the Santa Clara Mayor’s race.

Park, another member of the 49er-backed Council majority, entered the race at the last minute.

According to the source, the 49ers tried to persuade Park not to run against Ferraris, but were unsuccessful.

The 49ers and most Santa Clara political observers do not consider Park a serious candidate.