Santa Clara Vice Mayor Albert Gonzalez has announced his decision not to vote for Kathy Watanabe in the upcoming mayoral election. Gonzalez, who represents District 1 on the Santa Clara City Council, detailed his reasoning, emphasizing the importance of collaborative leadership and acceptance of election results within city government. His decision follows specific interactions after the 2024 election, including a recent exchange at a community event.
Gonzalez stated that his long acquaintance with Watanabe spans over 16 years. He recalled her hosting a campaign event for him in 2012 during his second run for the Santa Clara Unified School District Board. He noted she was also among the first individuals he informed of his plans to run for the District 1 Santa Clara City Council seat. Gonzalez also mentioned that when he shared his council aspirations, Watanabe expressed interest in running for his school board seat, a position he had held for 16 years. He observed that she eventually ran for mayor less than two years after that conversation.
Following the 2024 election, Gonzalez expressed surprise at a change in their interactions. He said that for months, Watanabe did not acknowledge him or engage in conversation. Gonzalez initially wondered if he had caused offense, but he could think of no reason. However, the apparent issue became clear during the April 16 grand opening celebration for Ellore Senior Living. At the event, Gonzalez approached Watanabe and her husband, Karl. While Karl responded to Gonzalez’s greeting, Watanabe did not initially. Gonzalez then remarked that the election was concluded and it was time to move forward.
Watanabe responded to Gonzalez, stating that people were disappointed in him and that the District 1 council seat was not his. She added that her endorsed candidate had worked diligently for the position. Gonzalez indicated that this exchange clarified the situation for him: the issue was that he had won an election as a candidate she had not endorsed.
Gonzalez underscored his agreement with Watanabe on one point: the District 1 seat is not his. He affirmed that it belongs to the voters of District 1. Similarly, he stated that the mayor’s office belongs to the people of Santa Clara, not any individual politician. He believes public office is earned from the voters and entrusted to their chosen representatives.
For these reasons, Gonzalez stressed the significance of leadership. He called for leaders in Santa Clara who can accept election outcomes, work collaboratively with colleagues, and prioritize solving city problems over reliving past political campaigns. He highlighted a need for leaders who foster unity rather than division based on previous elections, disagreements, or council votes.
Gonzalez pointed to existing challenges facing Santa Clara, referencing the loss of community assets such as Fire Station 10 and the International Swim Center. He argued that residents deserve leaders focused on protecting city services, preserving community resources, and enhancing the quality of life. Based on these principles and his outlined experiences, Vice Mayor Albert Gonzalez concluded he will not be casting his vote for Kathy Watanabe for mayor.
