An intellectual property attorney became the latest candidate to throw his name into the running to replace downtown San Jose Councilman Sam Liccardo. Don Gagliardi plans to throw a campaign kickoff bash at 5:30pm Thursday at Chef Monalisa on North Second Street.
Gagliardi joins four others who have filed statements of intent to run in the June primary for the District 3 seat. Other candidates include community organizer Kathy Sutherland, San Jose police officer and sometimes-model Raul Peralez, downtown businessman Mauricio Mejia and youth sports league founder George Kleidon.
Sutherland, a chief of staff to former District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle, and Gagliardi have made downtown economic development a priority in their early campaign pledges.
“Housing prices are rebounding and our economy is slowly growing,” Sutherland said, when announcing her candidacy in October. “I will use my experience as a neighborhood advocate and Chief of Staff when decisions are made about which city services should be brought back and how.”
Gagliardi says he wants to promote the arts and creative community and empower neighborhood activists to have a voice at City Hall. “I hope we can have a more economically vibrant and more livable downtown,” he said.
Peralez will also host his campaign kickoff at 5pm Thursday in front of city Hall.
almost anyone would be better than Lickardo .
Has Omar Torres declared yet?
Hi all,
I am no longer running. The crop of candidates are all very good. They have deep roots in the district and I know will focus on getting this city moving again.
Isn’t Raul Peralez also closely associated with the convicted felon and disgraced crooked politician George Shirakawa? Until all those investigations and trails are concluded San Jose voters would be wise to steer clear of ANY known associate of Shirakawas. The stink is too strong from that cesspool of an office and none of them seem to really be interested in being accountable and forthcoming about their involvement.
hahahahahahaha , You mention Shirakawa like he’s the only corrupt one. He’s just the one that got caught. That smell you mention starts with Reed and continues thru to his Posse.