Jun 27, 2018
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito delivered the opinion in the infamous Janus case – an opinion explicitly aimed at reducing the rights and political capacity of American workers. The opinion claims to be defending free speech. In fact, true freedom of speech is the last thing the signers of this opinion have in mind. In his opinion, Alito sanctimoniously condemns…
Jun 26, 2018
Vic Ajlouny, a controversial campaign operative and conservative firebrand, is setting himself up to have considerable sway over the San Jose City Council. Ajlouny served as a campaign consultant for four sitting City Councilmembers: Johnny Khamis, Dev Davis, Chappie Jones and, until recently, Tam Nguyen. Ajlouny is also running District 9 candidate Pam Foley’s race. In the past Ajlouny has…
Jun 21, 2018
Today, a civil grand jury released a report calling out the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District for years of poor leadership and fiscal misconduct, and advocated for the resignation of the three-trustee bloc which has controlled the District for years. The report states that the “three Trustees who frequently vote as a bloc have lost the community’s trust…The Grand…
Jun 21, 2018
This November, Mountain View will have three City Council seats up for election. The seats are currently held by Mayor Lenny Siegel, Councilmember Ken Rosenberg and Councilmember Pat Showalter. Siegel and Showalter are running for reelection, while unexpectedly, Rosenberg has decided to step down after his first term. Siegel and Showalter have both consistently fought for more housing and are…
Jun 19, 2018
Recent elections in the South Bay continue to show that late returns have favored progressive, labor-backed candidates and measures. This last Primary Election was no exception. The late returns in the hotly contested Santa Clara County District 4 Supervisor race decided the outcome of that race. With Susan Ellenberg advancing to the runoff, Election Day left Labor-endorsed San Jose Councilmember…
Jun 14, 2018
One indicator of the political strength of an organization is the success of the candidates it endorses, particularly in races for open seats. In this Primary Election, Labor advanced their candidates in all but one race, while the Silicon Valley Organization (Chamber of Commerce) lost all but one race and the *Silicon Valley Leadership Group made minimal gains at best.…
Jun 13, 2018
Yesterday, in a meeting that went past 2 am, the Santa Clara City Council fell short of filling the Council seat vacated by Dominic Caserta last month. The Council was unable to reach the necessary 5 vote threshold to pass an appointment. It is unclear whether the Council will call a special election to fill the vacancy. Instead, they may leave…
Jun 12, 2018
As the results for the Supervisor District 4 race came in on Tuesday, June 5th, San Jose Councilmember Don Rocha, endorsed by the South Bay Labor Council, was more than a percentage point, about 200 votes, behind Pierluigi Oliverio, leaving the two candidates uncertain about who would face Susan Ellenberg in the November runoff. In the early days of counting,…
Jun 12, 2018
Today, the Santa Clara City Council will vote to make an appointment to the Council seat vacated by Dominic Caserta last month. To pass, the appointment must receive five of the remaining six Council members’ votes. The City Charter gives the Council two options in case of a Council seat vacancy: either appoint or hold a special election. If an…
Jun 6, 2018
Yesterday’s election left some local races clearly decided and others much too close to call. As most folks expected, Mayor Sam Liccardo won his second term, with Steve Brown, the second place candidate falling far behind. In the San Jose City Council races, District 3 Council Member Raul Peralez, who ran unopposed, was officially re-elected last night. Vice Mayor Magdalena…