Candidates have raised millions of dollars in many battleground states to represent Silicon Valley on the national, state and local stages.
The most closely watched race is the one to represent the 16th Congressional District after the retirement of Rep. Anna Eshoo. The March primary was a close race, with former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo coming out on top, and state Assemblyman Evan Law and Supervisor Joe Simitian tied for second.
A controversial recount of ballots requested by former supporters of Rickard and funded by a newly formed super PAC led to Simitian’s loss in November. The race is now between Rickard and Roe. According to their July quarterly reports, Rickard raised $4,338,802.71 in total for his November campaign, while Roe raised $2,489,160.71.
The 16th Congressional District covers parts of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, including Los Altos, Campbell, Los Gatos and Mountain View, as well as parts of San Jose and unincorporated areas. Even before the March primary election, candidates had spent heavily on polls, mailers and television and digital ads, with millions of dollars already poured into the race.
Super PACs have poured more than $2 million into the race ahead of the primary, and six PACs that have put money into supporting Rickard and Roe still have cash on hand. Five PACs are backing Roe, spending a combined $855,000 on the race. The largest donors are PG&E and the California Apartment Association. The only super PAC backing Rickard is putting about $516,000 into the race, including $500,000 from New York philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, who has a history of support for Rickard.
Nationally, Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees Chairman Patrick Ahrens and Santa Clara County School Board Member Tara Sreekrishnan are competing to fill Roe’s seat in California’s 26th Congressional District. In Santa Clara County, two seats on the Board of Supervisors are up for grabs, and nearly half of the San Jose City Council is on the ballot.
San Jose Spotlight is tracking election finances this election cycle and will update these tracks regularly, with more tracks to be added after state and local election finance reporting deadlines.
Last updated on July 15th
16th District
Financial documents for the super PAC Count the Vote have not yet been filed with the Federal Election Commission. This article will be updated when they are submitted.
B. Contact Sakura Cannestra (email address protected) Or @SakuCannestra on X (formerly Twitter).
