The deadline to apply to run for office has passed and we’re now getting a better picture of who wants to represent Sunnyvale on the City Council. There are four positions up for election this November.
According to data from the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters unofficial list, there are three council seats are up for re-election with just one incumbent in the mix. Meantime, for just the second time in Sunnyvale’s history, the position of mayor will be up for election. Prior to this, the mayor was selected from the sitting council members.
Current Mayor Faces Challenge from Council Colleague
Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein faces competition in his bid for re-election. Klein is the first elected mayor to serve the City of Sunnyvale. He was elected to the post in 2020.
Former City Council Member Russel Melton has applied to run against Klein in the upcoming race. Melton served two terms representing District 4 and is now running for mayor.
Pair of Council Members Vie for District 2
Current representative for District 2, Alysa Cisneros, faces competition in her bid for re-election. She will face former City Council Member Jim Davis on the November ballot.
District 4 Has One Council Candidate
According to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ list, there is just one person running for the District 4 seat in Sunnyvale – Charlsie Chang.
As previously stated, the seat is currently held by Melton, who is termed out.
In 2022, when there was a candidate running unopposed, the Sunnyvale City Council approved a resolution to appoint the candidate instead of placing her name on the ballot. Linda Sell was appointed to represent District 1, saving the city approximately $20,000 in election fees.
There is no word yet if a similar tactic will be pursued in this year’s election.
District 6 Has Three Candidates
Unlike District 4, the seat in District 6 will be hotly contested.
Current Council Member Omar Din has decided not to run for re-election. There are three candidates looking to take his place.
Beverly Blau is an engineer who has lived in Sunnyvale for the last three years.
Richard Lesher is a stay-at-home parent who is an eight-year resident of Lakewood Village.
Eileen Le is a ten-year resident of District 6 and has served as a trustee on the Sunnyvale School Board for the last two years.
