Getting your
Trinity Audioplayer ready...Nearly a month after the June primary, the final matchups between the top two candidates for three San Jose City Council seats are officially set for the November general election, with the eventual winners playing a key role in shaping the policy and economic direction of the Bay Area’s largest city.
Though the frontrunners emerged early on in each of the districts, the runner-ups remained close with thin margins between the remaining candidates.
Tuesday, the final certified vote guaranteed a matchup in District 9, the city’s only open seat, between frontrunner Genny Altwer, a former police officer and family therapist, and Gordon Chester, a public works staffer focused on housing. In East San Jose’s District 5, incumbent Peter Ortiz faces a comeback challenge from former lawmaker Nora Campos, who held the seat more than a decade ago. Meanwhile, in District 7, incumbent and former firefighter Bien Doan will square off against school board trustee Van Le.
The top two candidates in San Jose’s City Council races are vying for seats at a time when the council has little fiscal room and immense pressure to deliver public services for the city’s nearly 1 million people, as it continues to deal with homelessness, public safety and a race to build sufficient housing.
In a statement, Chester called his second-place finish a “victory for a people-powered campaign and a community that refused to be counted out.” He secured 22.23% of the vote, edging out Scott Hughes, who took 18.96% of the vote. Hughes serves as chief of staff to incumbent Councilmember Pam Foley, who is stepping down due to term limits. Altwer captured a commanding first-place lead with 35.55% of the vote.
Chester said securing the runoff slot reflects the priorities “residents shared at their doors: safe, clean neighborhoods and real, compassionate solutions to homelessness and housing for young adults, growing families, and seniors who want to retire near loved ones.”
His campaign touted Chester’s support for small businesses, better transportation options, and a City Hall that “answers to residents rather than special interests.”
Although a newcomer to city politics, Altwer has raised the most funds among her opponents and secured key endorsements from big names in politics, business, and some labor unions, expressing confidence that her message has resonated with the community. Her priorities include maintaining sufficient police staffing, expanding affordable housing, and addressing homelessness both legally and through health services.
“Clearly, those issues are resonating with the primary election results,” Altwer said. “The plan is continuing to get the message out there – that I’m the candidate who is going to get the tough job done in San Jose.”
She emphasized that her “real-world” experience as a business owner, licensed therapist and someone who has worked with victims of crime has helped her connect with residents.
In the working-class neighborhoods of District 5, where Latino and Asian Americans represent about 90% of the population, Campos, who secured 20.27% of the vote, faces a rematch with Ortiz, who is seeking a second term after capturing nearly 45% of the vote. Campos previously held the seat from 2001 to 2010 before serving in the state Assembly.
“We’re grateful for the strong support we’ve received from the voters across the district and are excited to be advancing to the runoff,” Campos told this news organization Monday. “The results confirm what we’ve been hearing at the doors for months: people are ready for a change.”
She said her campaign will continue focusing on the issues that matter most to residents in the district, including safe neighborhoods, clean streets, affordable housing, and greater accountability, “and a city government that responds and delivers.”
Ortiz, who is currently spearheading an economic revitalization campaign for the East Side — which he says has been historically neglected when it comes to development plans — said previously he was extremely proud of his large lead in the race.
“It’s gratifying to see that the voters share our priorities for the future… We look forward to building on this vote total and continuing the campaign toward reelection in November,” he said.
In District 7, the heart of the city’s Vietnamese community, the race has been heavily defined by personal political friction. However, second-place finisher Le, an East Side Union High School District trustee who secured 22.44% of the vote, kept her focus on policy issues when reached for comment.
“I’m honored and humbled by the trust the voters of District 7 have placed in me,” she said. “This campaign has never been about politics as usual. It’s about making sure the voices of our neighborhoods are finally heard at City Hall.”
She said residents want safer neighborhoods, cleaner streets and “practical solutions to homelessness, support for small business, and a city government that delivers results instead of excuses.”
Doan fell a little over 2% short of avoiding a runoff with almost 48% of the vote. He said his priorities include making San Jose “more business friendly” and had been preparing for the runoff weeks before the certified vote.
“We keep our eyes on the real goal, to support our community and address immigrants’ needs — and continue to reduce the amount of homeless and make it the safest city in the nation,” he said.
The final vote of Measure A, the hotel tax written to help fill a budget gap in the recently approved budget, passed with 67.05% of the vote.
Councilmembers Rosemary Kamei (District 1) and Anthony Tordillos (District 3) ran unopposed.