The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

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Sheriff race heats up

The primary is six months away, but the Santa Clara County Sheriff's race is already heating up, especially since the recent announcement by Sheriff Chuck Gillingham that he will not seek re-election.

Gillingham said he is running instead for a seat on the San Jose City Council. That decision leaves the Sheriff's race wide open, and three candidates have already jumped into the fray, with the possibility of one or two more joining in.

Assistant sheriffs Ruben Diaz and Tom Sing, and Sergeant Jose Salcido have all joined the race, while San Jose Police Chief Lou Cobarruviaz remains undecided.

All registered voters in Santa Clara County, including Sunnyvale residents, will choose the new Sheriff.

The Sun spoke last week with two candidates, Diaz and Salcido; Sing was not available for an interview.

Salcido said he is anxious to change the way the Sheriff's Department is run. He criticized the department for being too concerned with its image. "I want to do more substance," he said.

Diaz said he wants to continue and enhance programs that he initiated while working as an assistant sheriff. He said he helped to implement the Community Service Unit, a domestic violence program, and he initiated bringing more technology into the department.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, January 7, 1998.
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