San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is pursuing a controversial plan to end homeless camping, seeking support from California's center-right California political landscape. His strategies, however, are being tested by early results in a District 3 special election, where his preferred candidate, Matthew Quevedo, has struggled. With razor-thin margins indicating potential recounts and competing candidates gaining traction, skepticism towards Mahan’s accountability promises appears to be mounting. Advisors express concerns over special interest influences and political ramifications for Mahan should Quevedo fail to advance in the election, impacting his future ambitions.
"I think the skepticism about Mahan's accountability platform has been growing over the last several years," Bob Staedler, a principal at San Jose-based land use and development consulting firm Silicon Valley Synergy, told San José Spotlight.
He can say, 'My city had special interests come after me,' and politically this gives him the alleged impetus to run for governor. He wins either way," Staedler said.
Only the top two vote getters will make it to the June runoff election to replace disgraced Councilmember Omar Torres and represent the city's embattled downtown core.
Mahan blamed his disappointment with the race on special interests, with political action committees raising more than $80.
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