March 9, 2007

Cortese to run for District 3 County Supervisor seat

Official announcement scheduled for week of March 12

Vice Mayor Dave Cortese will announce plans to run next year for the District 3 County Supervisor seat currently held by Pete McHugh, who terms out in 2008. The official announcement is scheduled for the week of March 12.

“A deep commitment to public service and a drive to address our community’s challenges has always guided my political career,” said Cortese. “I want to continue this service as a county supervisor and tackle some of our most pressing challenges like transportation, housing, education, healthcare and public safety. In this campaign, I aim to convince my neighbors throughout the district in San Jose, Sunnyvale and Milpitas that my experience and passion will serve them well on the board of supervisors.”

Cortese has filed all the pertinent paper work and plans an e-mail launch to supporters, according to his campaign strategist, Jay Rosenthal.

The county supervisor’s job is one that was held by Cortese’s father, Dominic Cortese, although he was a county supervisor for District 2, which has since been reorganized.

District 3 is made up of parts of three cities: San Jose, Sunnyvale and Milpitas. Its composition is about 60 percent San Jose, covering city Districts 4 and 8, the latter area currently held by Cortese as a city council member. In addition, Sunnyvale comprises about 25 percent of the district and Milpitas about 17 percent.

“Dom made incredible impacts on the community. He was a leader in the valley,” said Rosenthal, “and Dave is following. Dave also has a long-standing commitment for public service and he wants to continue to provide a positive contribution to the area.”

Plans for this year are to start with the grass roots and build the campaign with outreach to neighborhoods and leaders throughout the areas so that the group can begin to campaign in earnest in 2008.

—By Carol Rosen