This year’s races for Districts 2 and 3 will both feature two candidates. Council Members Raj Chahal, District 2’s representative, and Karen Hardy, District 3’s representative and mayoral candidate, are both term-limited out.

District 2 will see Yvonne Inciarte facing off against Kimberly Williams while District 3’s race will feature Eric Crutchlow and Kyle Madej. 

District 2 Candidate – Yvonne Inciarte

Inciarte works as a government relations director. She has served on the city’s historic landmarks commission, chief’s advisory committee, economic development marketing committee and the West Valley Mission College Board. 

According to her candidate statement, she believes Santa Clara deserves a representative who is accountable, practical and honest about how the city spends residents’ money. 

Her experience working with local government, she believes, has positioned her to understand how to solve problems and build partnerships that strengthen the community, improving its members’ lives.

She vows to support transparent decision-making, well-maintained neighborhoods, reliable infrastructure and responsible spending that delivers measurable results. She believes the government works best when decisions are based on facts, meaningful public input, fiscal responsibility and long-term planning.

She believes Santa Clara can continue to innovate without sacrificing its character.

Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA), local 270, Rep. Ro Khanna and Santa Clara Planning Commissioner Nancy Biagini have endorsed Inciarte.

Inciarte holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science and government from San Jose State University. 

Learn more about Inciarte yvonneforsantaclara.com.

District 2 Candidate – Kimberly Williams

Williams works as a university administrator. She has served on the city’s city hall community advisory committee, is the president of the Santa Clara Schools Foundation and sits on the California PTA Board of Managers. 

According to her candidate statement, Williams believes her experience in education has been formative in bringing together people with disparate priorities, allowing them to find lasting solutions. Good leadership, she believes, starts with listening.

Santa Clara faces critical decisions on housing, infrastructure and public safety. Williams supports smart, intentional growth, housing families can afford paired with infrastructure and development the city needs, ensuring growth strengthens the city instead of straining it.

Williams believes every resident — not just the government — builds a community. She vows to build a council defined by trust, transparency and participation, with decisions rooted in preparation, common sense and respect for all perspectives. 

Assembly Member Patrick Ahrens, D-Sunnyvale, Council Members Raj Chahal and Suds Jain as well as Santa Clara Unified School Board of Trustees Vickie Fairchild, Bonnie Lieberman and Michele Ryan have endorsed Williams.

Williams is a graduate of Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Learn more about Williams at williamsfordistrict2.com. 

District 3 Candidate – Eric Crutchlow

Crutchlow serves on Santa Clara’s planning commission and was a member of the city’s most recent charter review committee. He works as a cybersecurity product manager.

According to Crutchlow’s candidate statement, he believes Santa Clara must maintain what it owns, protect reliable and affordable power and make growth work for residents. He vows to push for disciplined asset management to prevent maintenance needs from becoming costly emergencies.

He also vows to pause the construction of new data centers and to work with neighboring cities to re-establish local control over building codes to ensure they are meeting the community’s needs. Santa Clara deserves council members that show up prepared for the meeting, push to attach a number to a commitment, interact with residents and communicate their reasoning during meetings.

Crutchlow holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in computer information systems from California State Polytechnic University.

Learn more about Crutchlow at crutchlow.com. 

District 3 Candidate – Kyle Madej

Madej works as a CEO. He also serves as president of the Briarwood Little League Board of Directors and the Santa Clara Youth Soccer League board. 

According to his candidate statement, his career has taught him to strengthen leadership, improve financial stewardship and plan for the future. He is committed to preserving neighborhoods, schools and Santa Clara’s quality of life.

He believes service, families and youth build strong communities. He vows to work hard to bring thoughtful leadership, fiscal responsibility, transparency and collaboration to city hall. His candidate statement reads that his commitment is to always listen, put residents first and do what’s best for Santa Clara.

Vice Mayor Albert Gonzalez, South Bay Labor Council, Santa Clara Police Officers Association and Santa Clara Unified School Board of Trustees Bonnie Lieberman, Jim Canova and Vickie Fairchild endorsed Madej.

Learn more about Madej at kyle4council.com 

With the exception of Inciarte, all the candidates agreed to the voluntary campaign expenditure limit, which is essentially a pledge that a candidate in a citywide election will only spend up to $55,890 and accept individual contributions up to $760. Candidates that do not agree to the voluntary expenditure limit default to the city’s $380 limit on individual contributions but make no claims about their overall spending.

All the candidates accepted the code of fair campaign practices. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com