Who IS the fairest of them all?
A question we will ponder as the announced candidates begin their campaigns. So far, there are five candidates who have filed. If you are a follower and fan of current mayor Lisa Gillmor, you most likely will support Gillmor’s anointed choice of council member Kathy Watanabe. She would need Gillmor’s guidance based on her shortage of original ideas.
In the event Watanabe should be elected, residents can expect four more years of the Gillmor doctrine to be continued. That would, of course, include hostility to Levi’s Stadium, the San Francisco 49ers and anyone who supports them.
A strong candidate would be former City employee Gary Ferraris. He has years of experience working with city staff, council and served as president of Santa Clara’s employees union, and, he does have notable people skills.
Current council member and announced candidate for mayor, Karen Hardy, has served on City Council for the past eight years. She has been frugal in protecting city funds while still supporting projects getting approved. Hardy’s day job was teaching in the SCUSD, where she continues as a volunteer to be a mentor to many of our city’s youth.
Making another attempt for council, this time in the race for mayor, is David Kertes. He ran against Suds Jain’s for his council seat in the last election and lost. He legally contested the results against Jain to no avail and lost again in the recount. He then began a recall campaign against Suds Jain but eventually pulled the plug on that and elevated his sights on a run for mayor. He claims to be independent; however, it’s been said that he was a Gilmor protégé. It appears he can’t take defeat as an answer by the voters.
Two more candidates have filed, Stephen Swanson and Mike Wiltberger.
So now we have the current lineup of potential mayoral candidates.
But wait! There’s more.
While we read the roster of multiple mayor wannabes, there is a late applicant to enter the race — current council member Kevin Park.
So, after August 11, we will have all the applicants noted on the ballot and ready to rock and roll.
If all seven candidates get to the ballot, it would only take 15% of the vote to win. Maybe that’s Gillmor’s plan: split the vote enough to assure a wannabe Watanabe win.
Or, will there be a surprise candidate who captures the confidence of the city?
Who will be the fairest of them all?
For you, the voter, it’s your call.
Previous Milestones:
Milestones – Priority Pays – Opinion
Milestones – Gillmor’s Power Play – Opinion
Milestones – Late to the Party – Opinion