Kathy Watanabe is just not a nice person.

It doesn’t matter how much money she raises, marching bands she hires, promotional brochures she prints, she just is not nice and not a good choice for mayor.

One of the first clues was early on when Watanabe was holding an anti-Asian hate rally in town. As the program began, fellow council member Kevin Park (a Korean American) stood up and walked to the front to voice his support for Watanabe’s program.

Instead of allowing Park to speak and reinforce the intent for the event, Watanabe waved him away, saying no, it was her event.  

It was obvious this was Watanabe’s show, and she was not sharing the spotlight.

Her actions that day revealed what we were in for as residents.

As a city council representative, she has been less than creative. When we look at her voting record, she has voted with Mayor Lisa Gillmor OVER 90% of the time.

There is a message here, and it’s simple.

If you are looking for a mayor that represents our residents as opposed to special interests, especially Gillmor interests, there are other, much better candidates to choose from.

Residents of Santa Clara owe it to themselves to elect a mayor who is objective, insightful, independent and absent from warmed-over politics.

While Mayor Lisa Gillmor and I have been on opposite sides of a dozen or more issues, we have been cordial to one another even while disagreeing. She is a true politician.

Gillmor is a leader. Not always right, but always persuasive.

Watanabe has demonstrated that she lacks that skill. And it’s an essential skill for anyone who wants to be in politics.

Our new mayor must be independent, speak and think clearly, listen to multiple points of view, collaborate with colleagues on issues, apply reason and facts, plainly lay out the expected results and lead accordingly.

This is not the job for a council person who publicly makes faces at people she doesn’t like.

Mayor Gillmor has done her best to camouflage and cover for candidate Watanabe in an effort to make her our next mayor.

There are some things you just can’t hide even with bright brochures, big bands and biased baloney. 

The current talent running for Santa Clara mayor offers some terrific options, which in turn means leadership, vision, growth and success. All things you will not get with Watanabe as mayor.

Previous Milestones:
Milestones – Stalking Supplants Sign-Stealing – Opinion
Milestones – Be Careful … – Opinion
Milestones – U R Manipulated – Opinion