As 2016 draws to a close, the fields for the San Jose City Council District 2 and 6 races appear to be largely set.
Current District 2 Councilmember Ash Kalra is terming out in November 2016 and is running for California State Assembly District 27. Here’s a look at those vying to replace him:
- Sergio Jimenez, an investigator at the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office. He has been an active community leader for many years and currently serves as Chairman of the San Jose Parks Commission representing City Council District 2.
- Elias Portales is a lawyer who serves on the Bond Oversight Committee for the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District and has held several community positions in the past.
- Former San Jose City Councilmembers Forrest Williams and Claude Fletcher are also rumored to be considering a run.
- Finally, Steve Brown, a businessman and community activist, and Perry Henry, a System Administrator and leader of his Neighborhood Association, may throw their hats in the ring.
In stark contrast to District 2, San Jose’s District 6 has attracted a glut of candidates vying to replace outgoing Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio. Here they are:
- Helen Chapman is a longtime community leader and city parks champion. She currently serves as Vice President of Programs for the San Jose Parks Foundation. Ms. Chapman is well known as a neighborhood issues leader.
- Erik Fong is a young and energetic Apple employee. He has served as the Vice Chair of the San Jose Parks and Recreation Commission and currently serves on the Boards of Christmas in the Park and the Willow Glen Lions Club.
- Norm Kline is the former Mayor of Saratoga and a Planning Commissioner for San Jose. A tech entrepreneur, Kline has considerable personal resources to spend on the race.
- Dev Devis, a Policy Analyst for the Center for Research and Education Outcomes, is positioning herself as the Republican alternative in a field full of Democrats.
- Longtime Democratic activist and political consultant Peter Allen moved back into the Willow Glen Neighborhood a few years ago. He is a San Jose Arts Commissioner. Allen has run a number of local campaigns, most recently the successful campaign to elect Councilmember Manh Nguyen.
- Chris Roth is another youthful contender for the seat, seen by some to be Councilmember Oliverio’s choice as the next District 6 representative. Roth currently serves on the San Jose Library Commission.
- Jeffrey Bedolla, a longtime community activist, is a relative newcomer to the political scene.
- Alex Shoor is thought to be considering a run. Mr. Shoor is a former Aide to Supervisor Ken Yeager and currently is the Director of Government Affairs at Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY).
District 6 is certainly going to be a fun race to watch, the top two candidates advancing to the runoff in November could finish with under 20% of the vote in June.
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