San Jose’s 2026 City Council elections include competitive races in Districts 5, 7, and 9, while Districts 1 and 3 have incumbents running unopposed and District 9 is open due to Vice Mayor Pam Foley terming out. In District 9, five candidates are competing to replace Foley. Genny Altwer leads fundraising with $106,272, including 15% from a personal loan. Scott Hughes follows with $59,838. Mike Hennessy raised $36,133, with 55% from a personal loan. Gordon Chester raised $28,395, with 14% from a personal loan. Rick Ator raised $7,313.84, with 43% from a personal loan. Altwer emphasizes voter demand for plans addressing crime, affordability, and homelessness and contrasts her approach with City Hall insiders.
"District 9 Among the five candidates vying to replace Foley in District 9, licensed marriage and family therapist Genny Altwer has secured a clear funding edge, having raised $106,272 of which 15% was a personal loan, according to the filings submitted ahead of a Thursday deadline. Coming in second is Scott Hughes, Foley's chief of staff, who has raised $59,838. Meanwhile, local entrepreneur Mike Hennessy has drawn in $36,133, of which 55% was a personal loan. City employee Gordon Chester has received $28,395, of which 14% was a personal loan. Rick Ator, a longtime tech worker, has amassed $7,313.84, of which 43% was a personal loan."
"Altwer, a newcomer to politics, is promising to bring a fresh approach to leadership in the district, contrasting her background to that of Hughes, who has worked for both Foley and her predecessor, former Councilmember Don Rocha. "Every day, I hear from voters that they want real plans to tackle crime, affordability and homelessness," Altwer told San José Spotlight. "That change isn't going to come from another City Hall insider. Instead it's going to take someone who's taken on tough problems and delivered.""
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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