Joe Simitian

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In 2024, Simitian ran to represent California's 16th congressional district to replace the retiring Anna Eshoo, earning her endorsement in the primary. [19] His candidacy prompted an unusual occurrence; despite announcing on election night that he was in the top two candidates, and would consequently advance to the November run-off, [20] as votes were counted in the following weeks, Simitian constantly traded places with another candidate, Evan Low, for second and third place. The final results saw the two tie, and as a result both – alongside first-placed Sam Liccardo – were expected to be on the ballot for the general election, in only the second three-way election since California adopted the top-two primary system in 2012. [21] [22] Given the close result, the possibility of a recount has been raised, but SFist reported that neither campaign had the funds available to support one. [23] Both campaigns released statements indicating that they intend to compete in the general election. [24]

However, after a poll believed to be conducted on behalf of supporters of first-placed Sam Liccardo testing two-way match-ups was fielded, [25] two residents of the district, including former Liccardo campaign finance director and current donor Jonathan Padilla, requested a recount; Liccardo himself is ineligible to because he does not live in the district. [26] Liccardo's campaign denied responsibility, though they agreed the recount was necessary, saying "every vote should be counted." [27]

At the conclusion of the recount, Simitian was ultimately eliminated and Low advanced to the general election by a 5-vote margin. [28]

Personal life

Joe Simitian is married to Mary Hughes, a Bay Area political consultant. Simitian proposed to Hughes on election night in 1996 upon being elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. [29]

Electoral history

Joe Simitian electoral history

California State Assembly

Joe Simitian
Joesimitian.jpg
Simitian in 2020
Member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
from the 5th district
In office
January 7, 2013 January 6, 2025
2000 California State Assembly 21st district election [30] [31]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joe Simitian 57,641 100.0
Total votes57,641 100.0
General election
Democratic Joe Simitian 82,466 54.9
Republican Deborah Wilder53,14035.4
Green Gloria Purcell14,6419.7
Total votes150,247 100.0
2002 California State Assembly 21st district election [32] [33]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joe Simitian (incumbent) 32,343 100.0
Total votes32,343 100.0
General election
Democratic Joe Simitian (incumbent) 72,104 60.5
Republican Jim Russell42,80836.0
Libertarian Raymond M. Bell, Jr.4,2863.5
Total votes119,198 100.0

California State Senate

2004 California State Senate 11th district election [34] [35]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joe Simitian 65,597 57.5
Democratic Ted Lempert 48,51742.5
Total votes114,114 100.0
General election
Democratic Joe Simitian 230,484 66.6
Republican Jon Zellhoefer101,88729.4
Libertarian Allen M. Rice14,0804.0
Total votes346,451 100.0
2008 California State Senate 11th district election [36] [37]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joe Simitian (incumbent) 76,556 100.0
Total votes76,556 100.0
General election
Democratic Joe Simitian (incumbent) 272,154 74.9
Republican Blair Austin Nathan91,59225.1
Total votes363,746 100.0

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

2012 Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors 5th district [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Joe Simitian 39,131 58.27
Nonpartisan Kris Huyilan Wang15,36722.88
Nonpartisan Barry Chang12,65418.84
Total votes67,152 100.00
2016 Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors 5th district [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Joe Simitian (incumbent) 71,383 89.40
Nonpartisan John Mumy8,46410.60
Total votes79,847 100.00
2016 Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors 5th district [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Joe Simitian (incumbent) 85,322 100.00
Total votes85,322 100.00

U.S. House of Representatives

2024 California's 16th congressional district primary (final recount results on May 1, 2024) [41] [42]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Sam Liccardo 38,492 21.1
Democratic Evan Low 30,261 16.6
Democratic Joe Simitian30,25616.6
Republican Peter Ohtaki23,28312.8
Democratic Peter Dixon14,6778.1
Democratic Rishi Kumar12,3836.8
Republican Karl Ryan11,5636.3
Democratic Julie Lythcott-Haims 11,3866.2
Democratic Ahmed Mostafa5,8143.2
Democratic Greg Tanaka2,4211.3
Democratic Joby Bernstein1,6520.9
Total votes182,188 100.0

References

  1. "[S. Joseph Simitian]". 2001.
  2. Biography
  3. About Joe Archived January 22, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Simitian announces he's running for Congress – Palo Alto Daily Post". November 29, 2023.
  5. Sen. Joe Simitian – Friends of UC Santa Cruz
  6. New California Hands Free Law
  7. Schwarzenegger outlaws text-messaging while driving – Los Angeles Times
  8. California senator declared persona non grata in Azerbaijan Archived April 14, 2013, at archive.today
  9. Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, June 2016 Presidential Primary Election Results
  10. Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, March 2020 Presidential Primary Election Results
  11. Mercury News editorial: Saving Buena Vista in Palo Alto still is worth doing
  12. Silicon Valley Seeks Solutions for Affordable Housing ABC 7
  13. Palo Alto Board Considers Building Teacher Housing Near Courthouse
  14. Santa Clara County Puts $10 Million Toward Inclusive Playground Mercury News
  15. Santa Clara County Hires First Chief Privacy Officer Next City
  16. Meet Joe Simitian, Silicon Valley's surveillance technology watchdog The Guardian
  17. Santa Clara County Approves Civilian Oversight for Sheriff's Office Jails Mercury News
  18. Santa Clara County Body Cams Approved for Deputies and Jail Officers Mercury News
  19. "Congresswoman Anna Eshoo endorses Joe Simitian in competitive race to succeed her". The Mercury News. January 10, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  20. Marzorati, Guy (March 5, 2024). "Liccardo Leads South Bay House Primary, Simitian Confident He'll Make General Election". KQED. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  21. Fang, Tim (April 3, 2024). "Evan Low, Joe Simitian tied for 2nd place in 16th District congressional race". CBS News. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  22. Marzorati, Guy (April 3, 2024). "In Extraordinary Tie, Evan Low and Joe Simitian Both Advance in Race for Silicon Valley House Seat". KQED. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  23. Barmann, Jay (April 3, 2024). "The Race for Second for South Bay Congressional Seat Has Ended In a Tie?". SFist. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  24. Sheyner, Gennady (April 3, 2024). "Three to go to Congressional general election in November". Palo Alto Online. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  25. Kadah, Jana (April 8, 2024). "Mysterious Silicon Valley poll in congressional race could signal recount". San José Spotlight . Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  26. Marzorati, Guy (April 9, 2024). "Requests for Recount Could Upend Silicon Valley Race for Congress". KQED. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  27. Taylor, Sarah; Korte, Lara (April 9, 2024). "Tied California House race heading to a recount". Politico . Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  28. Hase, Grace (May 1, 2024). "Congressional Recount: Evan Low heads to November election as Joe Simitian is knocked off the ballot". The Mercury News. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  29. Palo Alto Online
  30. "March 7, 2000, Primary Elections - Member of the State Assembly" (PDF). Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  31. "November 7, 2000, General Election - Member of the State Assembly" (PDF). Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  32. "March 5, 2002, Primary Election - Member of the State Assembly" (PDF). Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  33. "November 5, 2002, General Election - Member of the State Assembly" (PDF). Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  34. "March 2, 2004, Presidential Primary Election - State Senator" (PDF). Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  35. "November 2, 2004, Presidential General Election - State Senator" (PDF). Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  36. "June 3, 2008, Statewide Direct Primary Election - State Senator" (PDF). Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  37. "November 4, 2008, General Election - State Senator" (PDF). Secretary of State of California . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  38. "June 5, 2012, Presidential Primary Election - Official Final Results" (PDF). Santa Clara County . June 30, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  39. "June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election - Official Final Results". Santa Clara County . July 3, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  40. "March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary Election - Official Final Results". Santa Clara County . April 21, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  41. "Final Recount Results (4/30/24)". Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  42. "Final Recount Election Summary Report". County of San Mateo - Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder's-Elections Office. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2025.