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District 6 candidates contend for a nod from Jim Spence
Police sergeant's support could sway voters' decision in November runoff
By Chantal Lamers
The San Jose City Council campaign simmers on as District 6 runoff candidates Kris Cunningham and Ken Yeager bite nails over whom former candidate Jim Spence will endorse.
Spence, who recently returned from a post-election vacation, is expected to make his decision within the next few days, said his political consultant, Vic Ajlouny. The police sergeant took a week off to cruise the Tahoe ski slopes after pulling in 17 percent of the District 6 votes.
But as Spence cooled his heels in the Sierras, things in Willow Glen heated up as rumors spread from Cunningham's campaign team. Word was that Cunningham was dumping her San Francisco-based political consulting firm, Terris Jaye & Barnes.
Cunningham cited some minor problems with the firm, including a mailing mishap with two pro-Cunningham pamphlets sent to voter's mailboxes. Two separate mailers reached voters the same day.
Cunningham, however, admits that members of her team may have suggested the firm was getting the boot, but denies ever stating it herself. She also confirmed there's no foreseen divorce between the firm and her.
Since Super Tuesday, Cunningham and Spence have chatted over lunch. The neighborhood activist complimented the cop on his ability to swoop up so many votes, especially for coming late into the race, just before the December deadline.
As much as she'd like to have Spence's endorsement, Cunningham isn't counting on anything: "We can only rely on endorsements to a certain extent," Cunningham said. "I've learned that."
Spence carries with him endorsements from city and county police and firefighting agencies. Though both candidates have their eye on an endorsement ticket from the sergeant, former candidate Mike Borquez gave his endorsement to Yeager. Borquez scooped up close to 5 percent of the votes in the March election.
Meanwhile, Ken Yeager's campaign coordinator, Denelle Fedor, says Yeager has yet to meet with Spence. The political science professor just returned from vacationing in Italy over spring break.
Fedor said the Yeager team recognized that Spence ran a great campaign, ran it "from the heart" and with some great visions for District 6. She predicts that Spence will meet with both Yeager and Cunningham before he makes his decision.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
