Governor Gavin Newsom is weighing a Bay Area congressional race that is expected to be a nail-biter on Election Day.
Newsom announced this week his endorsement of Assembly Member Evan Low for California’s 16th Congressional District, releasing a statement saying in part: “We have been working shoulder-to-shoulder on some of our state’s most pressing issues, from protecting reproductive rights to addressing affordability for California Evan’s proven track record of delivering support to Bay Area families makes him exactly the kind of representative CD-16 voters deserve in Washington.”
Low is running against former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo in the race.
Both men are Democrats, but Low told KPIX he believes Governor Newsom’s support shows voters he is the right Democrat for the job.
“The Democratic Party has chosen who the true Democrat is in this race and that is why again the San Jose Police Officers Association, as well as the San Jose Firefighters Association, who are aware of my opponent’s record, who worked with him, chose me. Low said.
KPIX reached out to Sam Liccardo’s campaign for comment on the governor’s endorsement of Low.
The campaign sent a statement saying: “Sam is endorsed by the Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, San Mateo Daily Journal, Palo Alto Daily Post and hundreds of local leaders. Those who know Assemblymember Low also support Sam the best, like Assembly Speaker Rob Rivas, Chairman Emeritus Anthony Rendon, and our local MP, Marc Berman, know that Sam is focused on delivering solutions, not slogans and patronizing platitudes.”
KPIX went to District 16 to see how voters feel about the governor’s influence on this race.
Two locals in Palo Alto said they think the governor’s endorsement could affect the outcome of the race, but for them they are keeping their support behind Liccardo.
“If that’s what Gavin Newsom has decided, maybe electing another man would be in line with his ideals, but we still support Liccardo. He’s a community man, you know,” one voter said.
Another woman said she’s not even sure the governor’s approval will affect anything.
“Newsom isn’t exactly popular right now, so I’m not sure how people will react to that. I mean, Liccardo has a lot of experience. Low is a great younger candidate. It’s a tough choice,” the voter said.
