The tussle is over San Jose Councilmember Sylvia Arenas, who is running for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 1 seat. In her candidate statement, Arenas lists endorsements that include the Santa Clara County Democratic Party. That endorsement was removed from ballot language, according to her campaign. San Jose City Council District 3 candidate Omar Torres told San José Spotlight he had his statement adjusted last minute as well.

Bill James, chair of the local Democratic Party, said the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ decision to remove party endorsements right before ballots are printed and without a chance to review the final statement is unfair to candidates.

“I’m also suspicious of the timing to be honest because it’s happening on the eve of the publication, leaving no time to respond,” James told San José Spotlight. “As I understand it, (Arenas) wasn’t offered a chance to amend her statement and make full use of the word count.”

Last week, the registrar of voters decided to strike any references to local party affiliations from candidate statements. The decision is based on an April court ruling in Orange County that requires a candidate endorsed by a political party to remove that reference, on the grounds it violates California election law for all candidates running in nonpartisan races.

Santa Clara County’s registrar decided it would not allow political party endorsements to be included in any candidate statements that pertain to all nonpartisan offices up for election this November, spokesperson Michael Borja said.

“No specific party is being singled out,” Borja told San José Spotlight. “All nonpartisan candidates are being treated equally by not allowing a political party endorsement.”

Patrick McGarrity, spokesperson for Arenas’ campaign, said removing the endorsement was a violation of her First Amendment rights.

“No one ever challenged that Sylvia Arenas has been endorsed by the Santa Clara County Democratic Party, or any other language in Sylvia’s statement, in either the general or primary elections,” McGarrity told San José Spotlight. “Yet well after the official review period ended, the registrar’s office took this extreme and authoritarian action of compromising Sylvia’s right to free speech.”

Arenas’ opponent, former San Jose Councilmember Johnny Khamis, said the registrar of voters did the right thing and it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

“The ROV told me the same thing at the beginning. They said I could not have, for example, an endorsement by Democrat Sam Liccardo on my statement,” Khamis told San José Spotlight. “It is absolutely in the document that we all signed that we were going to live by those rules. I’m shocked that they allowed her to have it go forward to begin with.”

But James said the Orange County ruling is “flawed” and not legally binding. He said the decision ignores the constitutional rights of free speech and association of the candidate and the Democratic Party. The party is considering legal action if the decision is not reversed.

He wrote to Registrar of Voters Shannon Bushey saying removing the language exceeded her authority.

“Your decision further impairs the residents of Santa Clara County by depriving them of information they may wish to consider in making that decision,” James wrote.

Shane Patrick Connolly, chairman of the Santa Clara County Republic Party, told San José Spotlight the Orange County ruling and local registrar’s actions seem consistent with maintaining nonpartisan races.

“It’s the responsibility of the political parties to communicate their endorsements to their own members,” he said.

Contact Jana Kadah at jana@sanjosespotlight.com or @Jana_Kadah on Twitter.

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The top two candidates, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez and San Jose Councilmember Matt Mahan, have taken jabs at each other all year. Chavez questioned the political newcomer’s stance on abortion and women’s rights. Mahan challenged the veteran politician’s record and invited a debate.

Now the latest salvo comes from Chavez’s camp. Her campaign released a 30-second digital ad today calling Mahan out for pitching his tech company’s services to the National Rifle Association (NRA)—less than a year after a gunman killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. Mahan at the time served as the CEO of Causes, an online campaigning platform for people who support a common cause.

When asked on Twitter in 2013 about pitching Causes’ services to the NRA, Mahan replied, “Absolutely. We want all sides of the conversation.”

Absolutely. We want all sides of the conversation. “@mcbyrne: social good is empowering the @nra. @CSGV @MomsDemand @DemandAction”

— Matt Mahan for Mayor (@MattMahanSJ) September 24, 2013

“The NRA has continuously wounded our communities by opposing common-sense safety laws, child gun locks, background checks on gun sales, secure gun storage and more,” said Brian Parvizshahi, Chavez’s campaign manager. “The revelation that Matt Mahan invited the NRA to use his tech platform is an absolute travesty.”

Parvizshahi would not disclose how much the ad cost. It will be shared digitally across the feeds of San Jose residents.

The ad begins by naming companies that cut ties with the NRA after the gun lobby killed legislation related to gun control, including Delta, United and Hertz. Then it delves into Mahan’s tweet.

Parvizshahi said Chavez has made neighborhoods safer by working with District Attorney Jeff Rosen to get ghost guns off the streets and to provide mental health services. That’s why Chavez has been endorsed by the San Jose Police Officers’ Association, he added.

But Matthew Quevedo, Mahan’s campaign manager, said the attacks are criticizing the councilmember for not embracing censorship and that other large platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, have the same policies that cater to users with a wide range of views.

“Matt ran a technology platform that did not censor based on political views and that forms the rationale of the supervisor’s attacks,” Quevedo told San José Spotlight. “It is worth noting that Supervisor Chavez uses technology platforms that do not censor to launch her attacks. Voters see through this—and we ask, once again, for the supervisor to agree to structured debates on key issues such as housing, crime, homelessness, mental health and other important topics.”

Mahan’s camp added that Causes worked with the Sandy Hook Promise and Everytown to build their platforms and advocacy for gun safety measures.

When asked whether she supports censoring certain viewpoints on social media platforms, Chavez said it’s about corporate responsibility. She cited examples of Uber and Lyft protecting drivers in Texas who could be liable for providing rides to women seeking an abortion.

“Matt Mahan made a series of very different business decisions as the CEO of two companies,” Chavez told San José Spotlight. “I disagree with Matt’s decisions. Soliciting business with the NRA nine months after the children were slaughtered at Sandy Hook Elementary is wrong. Period.”

Mahan also caught heat in June from labor unions—who widely support Chavez—and the county’s Democratic Party for not renouncing an endorsement he received from the Silicon Valley Association of Republican Women, a conservative group with controversial stances.

The two politicos will face off in November to replace termed-out Mayor Sam Liccardo—the first time the city will see a new mayor in nearly a decade. Chavez emerged a frontrunner in a crowded June primary, beating out six other candidates to secure 39.1% of the vote. Mahan trailed with 32.3%.

While Liccardo has not officially endorsed a successor, he launched a political action committee that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support Mahan, a business-backed candidate.

In total, political action committees (PAC) spent nearly $1.2 million supporting Chavez in the June election. Mahan received about $360,000 from the Common Good Silicon Valley PAC. Since last December, Chavez has raised $916,000, and Mahan has raised roughly $900,000.

Chavez, a progressive labor candidate, is cutting into Mahan’s base of moderate voters. A recent data analysis by San José Spotlight found Chavez won support in the city’s west side, flipping precincts that other progressives lost in the mostly white, affluent parts of the city.

The election is Nov. 8.

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In some classrooms at Renaissance Academy at Fischer Middle School, temperatures have reached 88 degrees due to faulty air conditioning. In response, teacher Luvia Solis has to take her class outside, along with their desks and chairs.

All school year I have been dealing with lack of functioning AC. This week it got up to 88 degrees in my classroom. I am infuriated by the lack of action from my district. Students in East Side San José deserve so much better pic.twitter.com/wWbHCaGyKm

— dont talk to me (@Luviaa) May 27, 2022

“I told my principal I cannot teach,” Solis said. “When it gets super hot I get dizzy. I can’t concentrate and the students can’t concentrate. They’re in a daze and falling asleep.”

She told Renaissance Academy Principal Doug Kleinhenz about the problem repeatedly and said he asked maintenance to resolve the issue. Maintenance workers come and fix the air conditioning, but a day or two later, it breaks again, Solis said.

Kleinhenz did not respond to requests for comment.

Solis tried relocating to an empty classroom, rolling in carts full of laptops and books, but she said it was a “headache.” She wanted to permanently change classrooms, but was told the school didn’t have the workers to move all the furniture.

“I can deal with a lot but… what kind of working environment am I in?” she said. “Am I valued as an employee? I feel like I’m not because it’s a 90-degree environment.”

Hilaria Bauer, superintendent for Alum Rock Union School District, told San José Spotlight the school district has aging air conditioning systems that malfunction sporadically and aren’t designed to work with windows and doors open.

“We have old systems, a delay in parts and services and the residue of the pandemic,” she said. “We are trying our best to create the best learning environments, but unfortunately, sometimes we do face challenges.”

Contact Lorraine Gabbert at lorraine@sanjosespotlight.com.

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Over the last few weeks, the Housing Providers for Responsible Solutions political action committee (PAC) has spent nearly $1 million on mailers, ads and texts opposing Lee—about a third of what the PAC has spent this year. The PAC is largely funded by the California Association of Realtors and the California Apartment Association.

Negative mailers and texts are certainly not new in Silicon Valley, but those sent out by the PAC have made waves on social media.

In a recent mailer, the PAC describes Lee as “playing with monkeys and Minecraft at work — not solving problems,” referring to a popular video game Lee streamed himself playing. It also calls Lee a politician instead of a Democrat—which was used to describe his opponents Kansen Chu, who served in the Assembly before, and Fremont City Councilmember Teresa Keng. Lee is a lifelong Democrat.

“It’s so weird,” Lee told San José Spotlight. “They just want to cause chaos, spreading misinformation, and frankly, these are some of the dirtiest tactics that people turn off from democracy.”

So did the realtors go “he lives with his mom!” and everyone said “yeah, that’s good enough, print it” pic.twitter.com/Kf1uwuTHIW

— Lloyd Alaban (@lloydalaban) June 2, 2022

The mailer also points out that Lee lives at home with mother, which according to the state lawmaker is common for young adults in his district because of economic necessity. He said it’s party why he is “so vigorously pro-housing.”

Lee said the PAC has gone above and beyond to mislead voters and discredit the work he has done during his first term in the state Legislature because they do not like his support of affordable housing and other progressive stances. Lee is chair of the Select Committee on Social Housing, and just last week his bill on social housing passed out of the Assembly floor and is heading to the Senate.

“This is an unusually high amount of attention they’re putting on me because they are trying to uphold the status quo,” Lee said. “They can’t buy me so they are trying to break me.”

A Santa Clara County Association of Realtors representative said the group does not make endorsements at the state level, but endorsed more moderate business-leaning candidates in the county like mayoral candidate and San Jose Councilmember Matt Mahan, county supervisor candidate Johnny Khamis and San Jose District 3 City Council candidates Joanna Rauh and Irene Smith.

“Candidates that support (the association’s) mission of promoting and protecting private property rights have received endorsements,” President Lisa Faria told San José Spotlight. “As for statewide races, decisions to support candidates are made at the state level by the California Association of Realtors.”

The California Association of Realtors and the California Apartment Association did not respond to requests for comment.

Contact Jana Kadah at jana@sanjosespotlight.com or @Jana_Kadah on Twitter.

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Assemblymember Robert Rivas announced Friday he’s secured enough votes from the Democratic Caucus to become the Assembly’s next speaker. The speaker is a powerful figure in the Legislature, appointing chairpersons and members of various committees where bills are heard, and managing the day-to-day activities on the Assembly floor.

Rivas represents the 30th Assembly District, which includes Gilroy and Morgan Hill, as well as parts of San Benito, Monterey and Santa Clara counties. According to a statement from his office, Rivas will be the first representative of a rural district to become speaker in modern history.

“I am honored to have earned the support and confidence of my colleagues across the state, from the Mexico border to the Oregon border,” Rivas said in a statement. “I look forward to the progress we will make together to alleviate our affordability crisis, protect our environment and ensure that California remains a land of opportunity for every resident.”

Rivas, who was raised in a farmworker household in San Benito County, was elected to the Assembly in 2018 and has served two terms. He presided as chair of the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee and was elected vice chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus.

In his two terms, Rivas has pushed for legislation to help protect farmworkers from COVID-19 and helped win passage of the COVID-19 Farmworker Relief Package. He also helped pass the $89 million Golden State Teacher Grant Program, which compensates teachers in underserved schools. He has helped organize food drives for farmers in Watsonville.

Gilroy Councilmember Rebeca Armendariz told San José Spotlight she appreciates Rivas’ track record as a leader over his past two terms.

“He’s always present, he knows the issues that are most important to us,” Armendariz said, adding that having a speaker from the South Bay would help bring the region to the forefront of state politics. “A lot of times we get overshadowed by San Francisco and Los Angeles, and it would be great to have somebody representing our area finally in that seat.”

Chava Bustamante, former executive director of Latinos United for a New America, told San José Spotlight he’s only briefly met with Rivas, but appreciates his progressive track record.

“Having a speaker that has progressive views, and who understands the importance of farm workers and working people in general, I think it’s good,” Bustamante said.

Contact Eli Wolfe at eli@sanjosespotlight.com or @EliWolfe4 on Twitter. 

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The episode occurred last Friday at the end of the first in-person forum with all the candidates for the DA’s race hosted by Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose. All three candidates in the race—incumbent Rosen, former deputy district attorney Daniel Chung and deputy public defender Sajid Khan—took part in the forum.

In a video reviewed by San José Spotlight, the candidates are standing at a table, with Chung to Rosen’s left. As the debate ends, Chung leans over to shake Rosen’s hand and Rosen appears to ignore him. Chung walks behind Rosen to shake hands with Khan, while Rosen turns to grab his briefcase from the floor. As Chung tries to return to his spot at the end of the table, he appears to trip over Rosen’s outstretched foot. Khan tells Rosen he tripped Chung, and less than a minute later he appears to apologize to Chung and shake his hand.

Chung believes the trip was intentional and says Rosen was upset with him because he criticized the DA’s office for allegedly withholding evidence, prosecutors sleeping with witnesses and dismissing homicide cases.

“I have a hard time believing this was unintentional,” Chung told San José Spotlight. “The leg movement was too sweeping and violent and forceful for me to believe that.”

A representative for Rosen characterized the trip as an accident.

“During a candidate forum, as they were both walking in a very narrow space, DA Rosen accidentally bumped into Mr. Chung,” Leo Briones, a representative for Rosen’s campaign, told San José Spotlight. “Thirty seconds later after the forum concluded, DA Rosen shook Mr. Kahn’s and Mr. Chung’s hands and apologized to Mr. Chung. Unfortunately, DA Rosen’s opponents are attempting to sensationalize a simple human interaction for political gain.”

Chung and Rosen have a history of conflict. Chung, who joined the DA’s office in 2018, ran afoul of his boss last year after he wrote op-eds critical of Rosen and the office. Chung claims Rosen put him on administrative leave because of the opinion pieces and took the unusual step of issuing security notices saying Chung wasn’t allowed on DA property. Chung sued Rosen last September for allegedly retaliating against him and weeks later announced a run for office. His suit is still pending.

Khan, who witnessed the incident, told San José Spotlight he believes Rosen wanted to trip Chung.

“Mr. Rosen should strongly consider taking a step away from his candidacy, and his seat as DA, to reassess whether he’s fit to continue,” Khan said.

Jen Myhre, senior organizer with SURJ at Sacred Heart, told San José Spotlight she wasn’t in the room and couldn’t speak to the incident. She said regardless of what happened, it shouldn’t overshadow the event itself.

“What the voters need to know in order to decide among the three candidates isn’t eyewitness accounts about whether someone did or did not trip someone else at the forum, but instead what their answers were to tough questions asked by the members of Sacred Heart Community Service and the people of Santa Clara County,” she said.

Contact Eli Wolfe at eli@sanjosespotlight.com or @EliWolfe4 on Twitter.

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The Santa Clara-based NFL team has contributed $300,000 to an independent expenditure called “Citizens for Cindy Chavez, Mayor 2022.” According to public records, the committee was set up earlier this month and is funded by the 49ers and the DeBartolo Corporation.

The filing doesn’t disclose any contributions, but 49ers spokesperson Rahul Chandhok confirmed the amount.

“Supervisor Chavez demonstrated exemplary leadership during the pandemic and was instrumental in launching California’s largest vaccination site at Levi’s Stadium last year,” Chandhok told San José Spotlight. “As an organization with roots that extend to San Jose and beyond, we’re supporting Supervisor Chavez because we’re confident she will take action on the South Bay’s most pressing issues such as housing affordability and public safety.”

Chavez did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Retired San Jose State University political science professor Terry Christensen told San José Spotlight other individuals and groups have spent significant money on candidates in previous elections through political action committees, but nothing like the amount being spent in one go by the 49ers.

“For an individual organization, it’s unprecedented,” Christensen said.

The independent expenditure is the latest sign the 49ers are throwing support behind Chavez. Last December, 49ers CEO Jed York and President Al Guido endorsed Chavez’s campaign, citing her efforts to distribute COVID-19 tests and vaccines and expanding access to public transportation. Ronnie Lott, a pro football hall of famer who was part of the 49ers dynasty that won four Super Bowls, was advertised as a special guest at a Chavez fundraiser last December.

Chavez has picked up significant financial support from at least one other independent expenditure committee. Service Employees International Union Local 521 recently contributed $75,000 to a political action committee (PAC) set up by Bloom Energy executive Carl Guardino to support Chavez’s campaign. The PAC, called “San Jose Together, supporting Cindy Chavez for Mayor 2022,” was formed in February.

The next batch of financial disclosures for primary election candidates are due at the end of the month. Chavez is competing with several San Jose councilmembers: Dev Davis, Matt Mahan and Raul Peralez. Former San Jose police officer Jim Spence and San Jose State University student Marshall Woodmansee are also running. The candidates recently outlined their priorities during a forum hosted by San José Spotlight.

Early campaign filings revealed Chavez trailing Mahan in fundraising, who as of January raised $504,000, compared to her $479,346.

Contact Eli Wolfe at eli@sanjosespotlight.com or @EliWolfe4 on Twitter.

Tran Nguyen contributed additional reporting.

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The Valley Water board voted 6-0 Tuesday to approve an investigation into whether Kremen violated any district policies in his interactions with workers or members of the public. Kremen abstained from voting.

Last week, the board agreed to have its ethics and conduct committee launch an investigation into Kremen’s behavior with employees, following a request Kremen made earlier this month.

Kremen, who temporarily stepped down as board chair to facilitate the investigation, specifically requested an inquiry into whether he has been the subject of complaints about sexual harassment. That direction was removed from the investigation after board member Linda LeZotte pointed out the board hasn’t received any complaints about this issue.

“Why are we going to spend time looking at claims of sexual harassment when there have been none?” LeZotte asked.

Kremen requested an investigation earlier this month following a San José Spotlight story about a former staffer on his campaign for Santa Clara County assessor who accused Kremen of inappropriate behavior. Kremen, who has denied the allegations, dropped out of the campaign but said he would remain on the Valley Water board, which he was first elected to in 2014.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Kremen said he wants the board to address the sexual harassment issue to clear his name.

“I think it should stay because then there’s still a cloud and someone will say you didn’t investigate that,” he said.

Board member Tony Estremera agreed the scope of the investigation should include whether any sexual harassment has taken place, but he noted any inquiry into violations of the district’s governmental policies will cover that issue anyway.

“If there’s none, there’s none,” he said. “It’ll take what, two seconds, for the investigator to say there’s no issue?”

Last week, the board agreed to expand the scope of its investigation to touch on other complaints raised by workers and members of the public. According to public records obtained by San José Spotlight, at least 11 employees have complained about Kremen’s behavior in recent years, including allegations about bullying and threatening people. None of the complaints mentioned sexual harassment.

Several environment groups—including Sierra Club California and Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter—asked the board last week to look into Kremen’s alleged mistreatment of environmental advocates in recent years.

Contact Eli Wolfe at eli@sanjosespotlight.com or @EliWolfe4 on Twitter.

Editor’s Note: Valley Water CEO Rick Callender is on San José Spotlight’s board of directors.

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The party, which represents more than half a million Democratic voters in Silicon Valley, gave a sole endorsement to Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez in the San Jose mayoral race.

Chavez appears to be the favorite in Democratic circles. The supervisor also snagged endorsements from the Silicon Valley Democratic Club and South Bay Labor Council, which comprises more than 100 unions across the county.

“This election is about the future of San Jose and making sure that we have a leader with the experience to solve the really pressing problems that are impacting our residents,” Chavez told San José Spotlight. “The endorsement reflects that (the party) knows that as a supervisor, I really lead on these issues.”

Chavez points to a number of initiatives she’s led, such as the $950 million Measure A affordable housing bond, as evidence of her track record in the area. She’s facing San Jose Councilmembers Raul Peralez, Dev Davis and Matt Mahan and several others for the mayoral seat.

“Our endorsements reflect the judgment of our central committee that these are the candidates who, from the Democratic perspective, will best serve the community,” Santa Clara County Democratic Party Chair Bill James said in a statement. “We urge Democratic voters to support them.”

The local party also endorsed Santa Clara County Board of Education trustee Rosemary Kamei in the District 1 San Jose City Council race, San Jose-Evergreen Community College District trustee Omar Torres in District 3, Santa Clara County Board of Education President Peter Ortiz in District 5 and incumbent Councilmember Maya Esparza in District 7. Esparza is facing off against San Jose firefighter Bien Doan and East Side Union High School District Board President Van Le.

Very honored to receive the endorsement from @SCCDP! pic.twitter.com/PZyGJmDff9

— Maya Esparza (@MayaEsparza3) March 11, 2022

With more than three decades in community organizing, Kamei said her experience speaks for itself.

“I’m proud to have received their sole endorsement,” she told San José Spotlight. “This says that I am a very strong candidate and that there’s a recognition of how much I’ve done in the community.”

Ortiz, who has a dual endorsement from the South Bay Labor Council with former Assemblymember Nora Campos, said the support from the party is because of his months-long grassroots campaign in East San Jose.

“This is an extremely important endorsement for my campaign,” Ortiz told San José Spotlight. “This shows that (the party) saw us as the campaign with momentum and the one that takes this race seriously.”

Torres said he’s the most experienced and knowledgable candidate in the race to represent downtown San Jose.

“I’ve been organizing at the grassroots level for over 25 years, and I know the ins and outs of what issues and challenges we face,” he said.

The party also announced its support for San Jose Councilmember Sylvia Arenas and Santa Clara County Board of Education trustee Claudia Rossi, who are vying for the open District 1 seat on the county Board of Supervisors.

“I am very proud to have the endorsement of my party, because I share their values and their passion,” Rossi told San José Spotlight, adding she’s gotten the party’s support in every race since 2010.

Esparza and Arenas didn’t respond to inquiries about the endorsements.

The primary election is June 7.

Contact Tran Nguyen at tran@sanjosespotlight.com or follow @nguyenntrann on Twitter. 

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The council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to have Councilmember Karen Hardy seek out legal counsel to represent the local government. Councilmember Kathy Watanabe cast the lone dissenting vote, arguing this duty belongs to Mayor Lisa Gillmor according to the city charter.

“I have extreme concerns with this motion put forward because it is the mayor’s responsibility to represent the City Council and take on this task,” Watanabe said.

Watanabe and Gillmor have been at odds with the other councilmembers since a vote last week to fire the city manager, Deanna Santana. Both voted against the proposal and entered closed session to discuss the issue under protest, with Gillmor warning the council’s actions may violate the city charter, city manager’s employment agreement and the Brown Act.

Given these circumstances, Gillmor supported giving the job to Hardy, noting the city’s urgent need to hire legal representation.

“We should have done this last week when the assistant city attorney said don’t go into closed session without legal counsel,” Gillmor said. “The majority didn’t listen, and here we are—we wasted a bunch of people’s time, it’s a week later, and now you’re asking to retain legal counsel.”

The council fired Santana last week in an emergency meeting. Assistant city attorney Sujata Reuter urged the council to not make a decision without first securing legal counsel. Santa Clara has been without permanent legal representation since ousting city attorney Brian Doyle last fall following a months-long internal investigation.

Santana has already hired an attorney, Alison Berry Wilkinson, who represents public sector employees. Wilkinson, who previously told San José Spotlight the council’s decision is “retaliatory” and “unlawful,” did not say whether her client intends to sue Santa Clara.

It’s unclear why the council majority wanted to get rid of Santana. Some city insiders claim Santana mistreated workers, though it’s not immediately clear if any complaints have been filed against her.

She has also been criticized for her staggering compensation: In 2020, Santana received an 11% salary increase that boosted her base salary to more than $448,000. The compensation raised eyebrows as Santa Clara suffers from a budget shortfall. The city projects the shortfall will decline over the next couple years, but is expected to be approximately $17.6 million by 2023-24.

Several speakers at last week’s meeting argued the councilmembers who voted to get rid of the city manager—Hardy, Raj Chahal, Anthony Becker and Kevin Park—are captive to the San Francisco 49ers football team, which funded several of their campaigns. The 49ers management criticized Santana for financial mismanagement of the city.

The councilmembers who voted to remove Santana have not offered reasons for their actions.

The council also met in closed session to discuss appointing an interim city manager. Councilmembers did not report taking any action.

Contact Eli Wolfe at eli@sanjosespotlight.com or @EliWolfe4 on Twitter.

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