BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
County Supervisor Joe Simitian announced today (Nov. 29) that he is running for Congress, taking another step in a political career that has spanned 40 years on the Palo Alto school board, city council and the state Senate and Assembly.
Simitian, 70, is likely to face off against Assemblyman Evan Low, 40, of Campbell, and former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.
It’s the first competitive race for the federal seat representing northern Santa Clara County since Congresswoman Anna Eshoo was elected in 1993. Ballots will be mailed out in early February.
“I will fight to reverse climate change, protect reproductive rights, and tackle the housing crisis,” Simitian said in a statement.
Simitian formed a federal committee to raise money for a campaign in 2009, and he’s been waiting for Eshoo to retire because they are friends. He has $681,003 to spend.
Low has raised $500,410 that can be used for his campaign. He hasn’t formally announced that he is running, but his district director — Patrick Ahrens, 34, of San Jose — is running for Low’s Assembly seat, indicating that Low will seek higher office.
Former Saratoga Councilman Rishi Kumar and former Menlo Park Councilman Peter Ohtaki are also running for Eshoo’s seat.
Liccardo, 53, has an event scheduled on Sunday in Portola Valley, the online news outlet San Jose Spotlight reported yesterday, but he isn’t officially running yet either.
The deadline to start a campaign is Dec. 8.
Simitian has represented 14 of the 15 cities and towns in the 16th Congressional district at some point in his career. He already has the endorsement of over 130 elected officials, including council majorities in Campbell, Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos and Menlo Park.
One of Simitian’s top issues has been housing, and several projects are underway using county money approved by his Board of Supervisors. In Palo Alto, that includes teacher housing at 231 Grant Ave. and special needs housing at 525 Charleston Road.
Simitian also led an effort in 2017 to save the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park at 3980 El Camino Real from being replaced with new condos.
“I am offering a passion for public service and proven legislative skill to address the pressing issues facing our communities and our nation,” he said in a statement.
Simitian graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1970 and was on the school board from 1983 to 1991 before moving to city council. He then went on to the Board of Supervisors, the Assembly and the state Senate before going back to the Board of Supervisors in 2016.
Liccardo beats Kumar
Kumar beats Simitian
Simitian beats Becker
Becker beats Low
Low kicks himself for giving Patrick Ahrens his job.
Weren’t you the same guy who predicted the developer-bankrolled Measure V would pass. Turned out it was trounced. Anything you predict will probably go the opposite way.
You’re mistaken. The developer money was against the measure, because it limited their opportunities for large developments in areas zoned residential. The big developers funded Menlo Together and other opposing groups.
I thought Measure V failed? That’s wrong?
Measure V did fail. Ben Bragg is trying to put out misinformation. Where are the moderators?
Nice try Rob. I was on the organizing effort for Measure V and we were veery careful that 100% of our donations were from real homeowners and residents of Menlo Park. We were out raised and spent by many times from rich people NOT living in Menlo park, big developers (the Sobratos), and special interests – none of which were based in Menlo. That’s all a matter of public record, and has been reported on many times during that election season.
Measure V passed. The proponents were 100% funded by individuals who were homeowners in Menlo Park. That’s public resord.
The “No on V” campaign was funded by largely by ther rich and developers. According to the Palo Alto Daily Post, “The No on Measure V campaign has brought in $330,953 in contributions since the beginning of August. The largest donors include the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County, former housing commissioner Karen Grove, Menlo Park resident Bob McGrew and the Sobrato family.”
All of these people either are developers or have ties to developers. Again, public records.
Simitian is your typical tax-and-spend politician. All the other governments are reporting surpluses while Santa Clara County is always in fiscal trouble. We don’t need somebody like that in Washington.
Anybody who thinks Rishi Kumar is going to beat Simitian or anybody else has got to be on drugs.
Has Sam Liccardo ever visited Palo Alto before?
Simitian has done so many good projects over the years in housing and healthcare. I can’t think of even one achievement by Liccardo or Low. This won’t be a hard choice.
Great, another “housing advocate” out to decimate our residential neighborhoods.
Ben, in Simitian’s 40 or so years in office, how many neighborhoods did he destroy? Please be specific and name the neighborhoods that were destroyed.
Joe has been a strong advocate for mental health care in the region for many years, an issue that affects thousands of families. In Washington, he will quickly establish himself a leader in this area.