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Simitian announces bid for Santa Clara County Supervisor
State senator announces candidacy in Palo Alto; Kniss to term out in 2012

by Palo Alto Online staff

State Sen. Joe Simitian announced his candidacy for Santa Clara County supervisor Sunday morning (Nov. 6), at an annual fund-raising brunch in Palo Alto. He will be vying for the District 5 seat that current Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss will be termed out of.

"Our county government deals with some of the state's greatest challenges, including health care, welfare, public safety, and regional land use," Simitian stated in a press release. "More than 1.7 million county residents expect county government to deliver real results on a daily basis. I look forward to being part of that effort."

Simitian is serving his final term in the California State Senate. An election will be held in June 2012, with Simitian now the clear frontrunner. Mountain View City Council member Margaret Abe-Koga declared her candidacy for the seat in September. Mountain View Vice Mayor Mike Kasperzak and Mountain View council member Laura Macias also expressed interest, though both said Simitian's decision would deter them.

"If Joe runs, I'm definitely not running," Kasperzak said. "If he runs, he'll be the hands-down winner."

"I believe that Joe Simitian is the best person to serve in the county seat," Macias said. "His ability to cut through extraneous data and see a practical solution is second to none."

District Five 5 incorporates Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, the northwestern half of Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Palo Alto.

Simitian's public-service career has its roots in Palo Alto. He served on the Board of Education, including as president; City Council, including a term as mayor; the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; and State Assembly.

He was elected to the California State Senate in November 2004 to represent the 11th State Senate District, which includes portions of San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.

He has also served as an election observer/supervisor in El Salvador and Bosnia, and he participated in refugee relief and resettlement efforts in Albania and Kosovo.

A website has been launched for Simitian's campaign at www.joesimitian.com.

Among the more than 200 attendees of the event at the Lucie Stern Community Center were U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, and Kniss.

Daniel DeBolt of the Mountain View Voice contributed to this report.

Posted by Martin Engel, a resident of Menlo Park, on Nov 6, 2011 at 6:42 pm

Dear Senator Simitian:

DUMP THE TRAIN AND GET OUR SUPPORT!

Posted by Vote Early and Often, a resident of the Greater Miranda neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2011 at 9:12 pm

Time to put these perennial REcycled politicians out to pasture in the Real World where they don't live off the public dime.

Nuff said!!!

Posted by Marrol, a resident of the Embarcadero Oaks/Leland neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 10:09 am

Enough of the career politicians already.

Posted by David, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 10:39 am

To the contrary: Joe has proven that he can ably serve us in the California Legislature, and is an excellent example why term limits should be dumped.

Posted by SJD, a resident of the Triple El neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 10:59 am

I think Joe Simitian is one of the most forward thinking and creative public servants we have. To have him continue to serve in yet another role is great. How many of you complainers want to participate in public service?

Posted by Paula Sandas, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 11:06 am

I hope that an office on the national level will open up for which Joe can run. He has served us well, and can continue to do so.

Posted by Susan Stansbury, a resident of the Barron Park neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 11:22 am

Joe is an outstanding representative and am glad to hear of his plans to continue to serve our region.

Posted by Bette Hirsch, a resident of the Green Acres neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 3:56 pm

We are fortunate to have such an intelligent and caring political leader, and one whose long-time residence here adds to his understanding of the basic issues we face.

Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online

Put a fork in him. He's done.

Posted by sully, a resident of the Greenmeadow neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2011 at 10:00 pm

Joe seems ready to throw the tax payers on the tracks, and on the hook to the tune of $100B, to keep the fiscal disaster, known as California high speed rail, afloat, because somewhere in their new business plan they say they will, maybe, electrify Caltrain in 15 years, maybe. If that isn't one of the dumbest hings I have ever heard... why, there ought to be a law against that sort of thing! If caltrain is so important to Joe, I would suggest that he try to fund electrifying caltrain separately, and without the $100B HSR boondoggle attached. All Joe has to say about that squandering $98B, well, he has not said much except something to the effect that it's a 'scarey number', or something profound like that.

Termed out Simitian, replacing termed out Kniss. It's time for someone new.

Posted by anonymous, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2011 at 8:33 am

This is enough - I have not been impressed by Mr. Simitian and suggest he return to the private sector.

Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Nov 12, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online

Let PG&E electrify Caltrain and pay for it with a horsepower/hour charge.