Former Cupertino mayor and councilmember Dolly Sandoval is urging voters to elect J.R. Fruen, John Tang, and Seema Lindskog to the City Council on November 3. Sandoval states these elections are critical for addressing long-standing governance issues under the current council majority, as San José Spotlight reported.
Sandoval contends that representatives she refers to as "Better Cupertino" have held a controlling majority on the city council for eight of the past ten years. She reported that their tenure has been marked by multiple grand jury reports documenting extensive poor governance, including councilmembers abusing their power, violating open meeting laws, and creating a toxic work environment.
These reports, according to Sandoval, also indicate that the actions of this council majority have driven out talented individuals, cost the city millions of dollars in lawsuits and lost revenue, and led to an abdication of responsibility regarding state affordable housing requirements and the development of a town center. Sandoval further noted that rather than fostering community, the current majority has increased division and mistrust, and is now backing a separate slate of candidates to continue their legacy.
The impact of this leadership has also extended to community relations. Sandoval described how local community-focused organizations, such as the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Cupertino, and volunteer city-sister groups, which previously collaborated closely with councilmembers and staff, are now shunned and distrusted by the city council. She added that the "Better Cupertino" majority even engaged in conflict with the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.
The period of this council majority has also seen a high rate of turnover in the city's top administrative position. Greg Larson, who has more than two decades of experience as a local government executive, including serving as city manager for Los Gatos and Milpitas and as deputy city manager for San Jose, served as Cupertino's interim city manager for six months in 2021. Sandoval recounted that Larson described this role as "the toughest job he ever had," attributing the difficulty to an "out-of-control council majority." Larson noted that the city's staff were among the finest he had worked with, despite the political leadership.
Sandoval highlighted the scope of this turnover, noting that Cupertino has had nine city managers in the last ten years. She asserted that this pattern signifies a "clear city council problem," rather than a staffing issue. Both Sandoval, a retired math teacher and former elected official, and Larson emphasize the crucial nature of the upcoming election, believing that continuing on the current path is not an option for the city.
Sandoval, who was raised in Cupertino and served on the school board, council, and as mayor, believes that Cupertino voters have a significant opportunity on Tuesday, November 3, to bring about positive change and establish a new city council majority that can restore effective governance for residents and businesses.
