The Cupertino Courier

Cobarruviaz drops out of sheriff's race

By Pam Marino

The race for Santa Clara County sheriff is wide open now that the man many considered to be the unofficial frontrunner, San Jose Police Chief Lou Cobarruviaz, announced last week he will not run.

The announcement came as a surprise to many inside and outside the race, since Cobarruviaz had been hinting for many months that he would run if Sheriff Chuck Gillingham did not seek re-election. Gillingham said in December that he is seeking a seat on the San Jose City Council.

Cobarruviaz, a 32-year police veteran, told reporters last week that he found the necessary campaign fundraising "distasteful." He estimated he would need to raise between $100,000 and $200,000 for the election in June and a possible runoff election in November.

The chief's decision leaves three candidates--assistant sheriffs Ruben Diaz and Tom Sing and Sgt. Jose Salcido--with a head start on both fundraising and endorsements.

Assistant Sheriff Laurie Smith took out papers from the Santa Clara registrar of voters last week and is expected to officially announce her candidacy soon.

"Cobarruviaz certainly is a qualified candidate, and I believe he was the frontrunner," Smith said last week. "This will really change the dynamics of the race."

Diaz, Salcido and Sing said they expect Cobarruviaz's decision to help them as they seek votes, funds and endorsements.

"It's been very positive now that Cobarruviaz is out," Salcido said. "A lot of people saw Cobarruviaz as having the name recognition."

Sing agreed that Cobarruviaz's name recognition was a big factor in the race, since the remaining candidates are not well known to voters. "We just have to get our names out there," he said.

The chief's announcement came as a surprise, Sing said, but he respects the decision. "He's been a good chief. He paid his dues, he really paid his dues," he said. Sing said he and Cobarruviaz have known each other for many years; their children went to school together.

Diaz got the plum endorsement of San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer after Cobarruviaz's announcement. Having the chief out of the race "gives me a lot more support and encouragement," he said.

As for whom Cobarruviaz will endorse, he said he's not sure he will endorse a candidate. If he does, he will not do it until after he resigns as chief March 21.

In addition to the four candidates from the sheriff's department, two unknowns--Alexander Rawls and R. Bria Beck--took out papers last week. The deadline to file for candidacy is March 6.

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