It’s widespread to have a logjam of candidates in a Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors race when an incumbent is termed out — however it’s uncommon to have 5 basically certified candidates. That is the problem for South County and Evergreen voters in deciding who ought to substitute Mike Wasserman in District 1.
We advocate Johnny Khamis, the previous two-term San Jose Metropolis Councilman who would offer a voice for fiscal sanity that the business-oriented Wasserman dropped at the board.
Board positions are non-partisan. However that doesn’t imply they aren’t political. Wasserman, who has served the utmost 12 years, is a dying breed, a reasonable Republican who helps enterprise pursuits and is fiscally conservative. Khamis largely mirrors his views on points. The board already has two progressive, labor-friendly members in Susan Ellenberg and Cindy Chavez, who's working for San Jose mayor and would probably get replaced by a labor-backed candidate if she is elected. If a 3rd progressive had been elected this fall, it might give the board a definite tilt.
Labor and civil rights teams final fall tried to make sure that would occur after they gerrymandered Khamis and one other sturdy candidate, Los Gatos City Council Vice Mayor Rob Rennie, out of District 1 when redrawing new county maps.
Rennie is now working for the District 28 seat within the state Meeting. Khamis, who has lived within the county for 46 years, moved out of his Almaden residence and leased a apartment inside the newly drawn District 1 boundaries to proceed his candidacy.
Khamis would shine a wanted highlight on the county finances. He additionally brings a monitor report of being attentive to residents’ wants as a metropolis councilman.
We don’t at all times agree with him on points, together with his notion that a lack of inexpensive housing will not be the primary purpose most individuals find yourself homeless within the county. However we wholeheartedly concur that extra focus and coordination of psychological well being and drug and alcohol habit packages is so as. Khamis’ ardour for serving to these with psychological well being is clear. He has additionally efficiently labored with non-profits, which is important for the county.
Khamis supported inexpensive housing efforts as a councilman. He has a strong report on open-space points, having labored with the Open Area Authority to assist buy land within the Santa Teresa foothills to create public trails.
Khamis’ opponents embrace Morgan Hill Mayor Wealthy Constantine, Santa Clara County Board of Schooling member Claudia Rossi, San Jose Metropolis Councilwoman Sylvia Arenas and Denelle Fedor, a case supervisor for a non-profit that gives housing help to residents.
All are strong candidates with a wealth of political expertise. Constantine, a retired firefighter, would convey in-depth data of public questions of safety to the board. Rossi, a registered nurse, is particularly well-versed on well being care points, which account for roughly 60% of the county’s finances. Arenas could be a tireless champion for the wants of kids and would combat for social justice. However all three could be beholden to labor pursuits and wouldn't present the mandatory test on spending that Khamis would offer.
Fedor has served as a employees member for a lot of San Jose officeholders. She is centering her marketing campaign round fiscal accountability, however she has by no means held public workplace.
Khamis is your best option for District 1 voters within the June 7 election.