Publication Date: Friday Jul 9, 1999

PALO ALTO: Kniss considers county supervisor's seat

City councilwoman sounding out potential support for her candidacy

After nearly 10 years on Palo Alto's City Council, Liz Kniss is considering dipping her toe into Santa Clara County politics.

Kniss said Thursday she is thinking of running in the March 5 primary for the north county seat on the Board of Supervisors. The seat is now held by Joe Simitian, himself a former Palo Alto councilman, who is planning to run for the state Assembly.

"I've had a discussion with several people about this who have been very supportive and enthusiastic," said Kniss, who is vacationing in Massachusetts.

One of Kniss's most enthusiastic supporters, she said, is Mayor Gary Fazzino, who was himself toying with the idea of running for the full-time post. Fazzino has since decided against the move, which would mean a substantial pay cut from his current job with Hewlett-Packard Co.

Kniss, who has worked for Sun Microsystems for the past five years, said she faces the same dilemma.

"This would certainly mean a major change in my job," said Kniss, who is able to serve on the City Council while holding a position in Sun's marketing department. Santa Clara County supervisors are paid an annual salary of about $88,000.

Kniss, whose City Council term ends in 2001, served on Palo Alto's school board for four years before winning election to the City Council in 1989. She said she needs to gauge support for her candidacy before making a decision.

"It's not a decision I'll make overnight," she said.

Three other people have filed papers with the county to run in the race for Simitian's seat: Palo Alto environmental attorney Terry Trumbull; Patricia Figueroa, a former Mountain View City Council member; and Dolores A. Sandoval, a Foothill-De Anza College District board member.

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