By Robert Haugh

BREAKING NEWS: The Mercury News Editorial Board endorsed David Kertes for Mayor, Yvonne Inciarte for District 2 and Eric Crutchlow for District 3 today, delivering a blistering assessment of the San Francisco 49ers’ political influence over Santa Clara.

Its message was blunt: “Break the 49ers’ grip over Santa Clara.”

The newspaper accused 49ers CEO Jed York’s organization of spending millions trying to turn Santa Clara into the team’s “subsidiary.”

“The 49ers are the central culprit here,” the editorial board wrote.

The editorial also highlighted the 2022 and 2024 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury reports, which found stadium agreements favored the 49ers and that City officials surrendered negotiating leverage and resisted stronger oversight.

The newspaper argued that Santa Clara needs independent leadership willing to challenge the powerful NFL franchise.

Mayor: Kertes 

The Mercury News was especially critical of Councilmembers Karen Hardy and Kevin Park, both now running for mayor.

The newspaper cited the 2022 Grand Jury report, which described Hardy and Park as members of a voting bloc that met with 49ers lobbyists before Council meetings, concealed the nature of their conversations, repeated the lobbyists’ talking points and consistently backed decisions favoring the team.

“Hardy’s and Park’s independence is not believable,” the editorial board concluded.

The newspaper was equally harsh toward Gary Ferraris, another mayoral candidate who is heavily backed by the 49ers and public employee unions.

According to the editorial, the team has spent more than $1.8 million supporting Ferraris or opposing Kertes and Kathy Watanabe.

During his September editorial board interview, Ferraris acknowledged that the 49ers had already spent $650,000 helping him but said he had no idea what the team might want from him as mayor.

“Ferraris’ bewilderment is bewildering,” the newspaper wrote.

“A vote for Ferraris is a vote to expand 49ers’ influence over the city.”

The editorial also criticized Ferraris for prioritizing infrastructure spending without explaining how he would generate revenue or reduce expenses to pay for it.

The newspaper described the 49ers’ alliance with public employee unions as a cynical arrangement benefiting both sides.

The editorial praised Watanabe for challenging the 49ers and demanding greater accountability during her Council service. 

The newspaper endorsed Kertes as an independent, business-savvy candidate who supports stronger stadium oversight, an independent ethics officer, new revenue sources and rebuilding downtown.

District 2: Inciarte Over Williams

The Mercury News endorsed Inciarte over Kimberley Williams, criticizing the 49ers’ massive spending to influence the race.

According to the editorial, the 49ers have spent more than $700,000 supporting Williams and opposing Inciarte.

The newspaper noted that District 2 is currently represented by Raj Chahal, a member of the 49ers-friendly Council majority who benefited from the team’s political spending.

The editorial suggested the 49ers want Williams elected to preserve their influence over the seat.

It also criticized Williams for dismissing the Civil Grand Jury reports during her editorial board interview. Williams called the findings “old news.”

The Mercury News disagreed, emphasizing the continuing importance of the Grand Jury findings about 49ers influence over City government.

The newspaper praised Inciarte for taking the team’s political influence seriously and bringing significant experience working with local governments, federal agencies and community organizations through her work for Congressman Ro Khanna.

It also highlighted Inciarte’s commitment to increasing affordable housing.

The editorial concluded that Inciarte is better prepared to represent District 2 and provide independent oversight.

District 3: Crutchlow Over Madej

In District 3, the Mercury News endorsed Crutchlow over Kyle Madej to replace 49ers-friendly Councilmember Karen Hardy.

The editorial noted that neither candidate has received 49ers campaign support and both have expressed support for holding the team accountable.

But the newspaper concluded that Crutchlow brings stronger qualifications and a broader approach to City issues.

The newspaper highlighted Crutchlow’s proposals for scrutinizing data centers’ environmental impacts and improving how Santa Clara plans and pays for maintenance of City facilities.

Finally, the newspaper reminded Santa Clara voters that they have the final say, despite Jed York’s millions of dollars in political spending.

“Voters don’t have to buy what they’re selling.”