San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan has taken a substantial early lead in his reelection bid for District 7, positioning him to become the first incumbent in more than ten years to win a consecutive term in the district, as San José Spotlight reported.
Early election results released as of 11:21 p.m. on Election Day show Doan leading the race with 60.1% of the vote, representing 6,718 votes. His opponent, East Side Union High School District trustee Van Le, trails with 39.6% of the vote, totalizing 4,429 votes. Santa Clara County reported an overall voter turnout of 28.4%, with the next official election update scheduled to be released by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
District 7 covers portions of central and East San Jose. The district features a significant Latino voter base alongside the Little Saigon Business District, which serves as a commercial and cultural center for an estimated 145,000 Vietnamese residents living in the city. An incumbent city council member has not successfully secured reelection in District 7 since 2010.
Supporters gathered to celebrate as early numbers showed Doan in the lead. Doan noted that his campaign team physically knocked on every door in District 7 twice during the race. He stated that he felt in his gut he would take the lead, drawing a parallel to how he felt four years earlier. He added that the community came together because residents trusted him to do the right thing, reflecting that trust in the reported numbers.
Doan, 61, previously served for 21 years with the San Jose Fire Department, where he became the city's first Vietnamese fire captain. He entered the city council after defeating then-incumbent Maya Esparza in the 2022 election. Angel Dizon, 52, who has known Doan since his career as a firefighter, expressed excitement over the results, telling San José Spotlight that the city is fortunate to have him because he consistently works to do the right thing, possesses good family values, and cares about the community.
During his first three years representing District 7, Doan built coalitions across San Jose's labor and business sectors. Labor advocates have commended his support for policies such as wage theft protections and Med 30, a drug oversight initiative within the municipal fire department. Conversely, local business figures have supported his standard opposition to proposed new tax measures.
Looking toward a second term, Doan stated he intends to remain a voice for efficiency in public services and serve as a check against government excess, particularly regarding spending accountability for homeless programs. He highlighted plans to address housing affordability, enhance public safety, and support local small businesses.
Le pursued the District 7 seat unsuccessfully four times prior to this race. She stated that her motivation to run stemmed from a belief that the area requires leadership focused on listening to residents and restoring cultural identity. Her platform emphasized improving neighborhood conditions, combating illegal dumping, and boosting public safety. She told San José Spotlight that she considers herself a public servant and intends to continue serving the community in alternative ways.
Le arrived in the United States as a refugee fleeing Vietnam in 1975 and has resided in San Jose for over 40 years. After initial financial challenges that led her to leave San Jose State University to work two fast-food jobs, she completed a business degree. She later worked for San Jose City Hall before founding a franchised State Farm Insurance agency more than two decades ago. She is currently serving her fourth term on the East Side Union High School District board.
Some local voters expressed a desire for new leadership during the campaign. Ann Kong, 62, told San José Spotlight she felt disappointed by news coverage regarding Doan's council operations and favored Le because of her independent work for the neighborhood.
The campaign involved sharp exchanges between the candidates. Le accused Doan of causing division within the local Vietnamese population and highlighted past legal issues from his early years in the country. Court records from Santa Clara County Superior Court indicate Doan was arrested multiple times and convicted in two theft cases between 1985 and 1987, though records show he served no jail time. Doan's campaign representatives explained those incidents occurred while he was struggling to establish himself as a young immigrant fleeing war-torn Vietnam.
Campaign financial disclosures indicate Doan raised nearly $190,000, which included a $20,000 personal loan, while spending $167,770. Le raised $119,286.00, including a $30,000 personal loan, and expended $98,410.
