Let's go, Joe! A dedicated public servant with impressive expertise on national issues and a detailed command of local ones who relishes the nitty-gritty of actually governing—we should be so lucky to have him represent us!

This is exactly what we don't need in our area. Mr Simitian has been around a long time and the state has declined, the city and county have RVs parked on the street pouring their waste into the sewers going to the Bay, spilling fuel and oil on the streets, etc and the county continues to leave them there and instead of removing them. A County DA that does not enforce felonies. The SCC budget is not constructed well and could be cut by 30% while still looking to the future while removing the unnecessary expenditures. And they cannot even repave El Camino the who;e time Simitian is in office.

We need an aggressive business person that thinks like a libertarian and has built and funded a growing business knowing how to meet a payroll putting to work. The party is of no interest so they must think independently to do what is right and not adhere to the Pelosi narratives as Eshoo has done for 30+ years.

Joe Simitian is a long-time politician and will be 72 a few days after he would be sworn in if he replaces Anna Eshoo. Sad that he had to wait so long to run for this seat. Isn't it time we have an age limit for all federal political aspirants, say 75, as Germany has done? Seventy-two is the age when most of us have retired, not decided to take on a new job.

This is excellent news. If Joe Simitian wins, we will need strong representation to fill his important position on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors where north county cities are grossly underrepresented. It is critical that we get someone of the same caliber for this Board.

I have appreciated Joe's work in many of his former roles. Always thoughtful, strategic, willing to hear all sides on any issue--Joe has been a knowledgeable and effective public servant for decades. This is a natural next step for which he is very well-equipped. I can't think of a better candidate.

Run, Joe, Run!!!

This is the best news I've heard in a long time! The majority of politicians are mediocre to terrible. Every now and then we end up with someone in power who is capable, smart, honest and has integrity. That's Joe Simitian. His candidacy is the best argument against age limits. To be good at any job, you need a life time of skill and experience. I hope this man lives forever.

I’ll definitely vote for Joe!

Go Joe!! You've served our community well for years. I have always appreciated your common sense approach to lawmaking and commitment to mental health and housing. Ready for my lawn sign.

Simitian has been an exemplary public servant for decades. He has moral integrity and respect for his constituency and his role, he is inclusive, effective, intelligent and personable.

As an example of his respect and inclusivity, when Simitian was in the California State Assembly and Senate he had a "There Oughta be a Law" contest in which people could suggest changes to state laws, and each year he championed at least one winner, often more, through the legislature see Web Link

He also volunteers his time to other worthy efforts. For instance I have seen Simitian be an excellent auctioneer at non-profit fundraisers and through his enthusiasm, gregariousness and skill help raise tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars at each event.

Several years he has taught a session on effective civic engagement through a non-profit program called Leadership Midpeninsula. I went through that program years ago and still remember some of Simitian's advice, including don't attack and insult the people you are lobbying. For instance if you want the city council to do XYZ, don't go in with guns blazing telling them they're a bunch of incompetent idiots that should do things you're way. That approach is just going to put up their hackles and close them down. Instead, butter them up with a little praise, thank them for their service then promote your idea.

In all the issues I care about as a progressive who wants to help disadvantaged people, and protect & restore the environment, whenever I have observed Simitian in action, he has been effective in promoting such ideals. E.G., a few years ago a Palo Alto mobile home park was at risk of being redeveloped for wealthy folks. Simitian orchestrated a deal with an affordable housing org which preserved the site & is now making needed improvements.

He has diligently served at all levels of local and state governance and our region will greatly benefit by voting for Simitian for US Representative.

I think our local Assemblyman Marc Berman should enter the race. He does what his big labor supporters tell him. Plus, Marc was an intern for Rep. Eshoo a long time ago.

Joe Simitian personifies the gold standard for elected office. There is simply no one better to represent us - or even close.

Experience - School Board Pres, Mayor, State Assembly and Senate. Three terms and two time Chair of the County Board of Supes.

He has, according to the SF Chronicle, represented 85% of people able to vote for this Congressional seat.

Consequently, he knows us and takes action on the things that matter to us.

And we know him as a highly educated, deeply compassionate public servant with strong ethics and great intelligence.

Go for it Joe. We are with you.

I see that Joe Simitian's boosters are out in force to showcase their enthusiasm for Joe's candidacy.

How about we elect somebody who is not a career politician?

How about someone who is not in their 70s, but someone who is under 50?

Some random litmus test based on age in no way equates with getting the best candidate. Any age candidate can be a lame brain with little know-how, or a dynamo with what it takes to succeed. It all depends on the individual, not on a person’s broad demographic classification.

To eliminate any “best and brightest” candidates due to a vague and flimsy ageist criteria is to ignore what really matters - valuable experience and ability to represent we the people.

Simitian is a tax-and-spend politician. State and county government budgets have grown exponentially, far outpacing GDP or average income, while he was/is in the respective legislature bodies. I don't recall he ever raised any concern. The national debt is already astronomical. In just a few years the federal government will be paying one trillion dollar per year, just for the interest on national debt. We need to elect someone who is a fiscal conservative.

I oppose Simitian for further government service. I have been unimpressed with his ostensible representation of the interests of us in northern Santa Clara County to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. A career politician.
We must review all choices. I am aware Simititian has big money interests behind him as they sent me a contribution pitch. NO.

Happy to see Joe running. I ran into him a month or so ago at Whole Foods. We chatted briefly. He's just unassuming and competent, traits I admire. We could not come up with a better candidate to replace the outstanding Anna Eshoo.

Maybe we can cut the ageism a bit here and look at Simitian's qualifications. There is nobody in this county who knows more about the workings of government than Joe. As for people are calling him a "career politician", try talking with him at the Downtown PA Farmers Market where he has set up "office hours" to spend time with constituents for years (I don't see Mark Berman or any other elected public officials doing this, literally standing there for hours talking to anyone who walks up). I call that a career public servant who will make an outstanding member of Congress.

Sam Liccardo announced he is running. IMO as a two-term mayor of San Jose he is a better candidate. He has hands-on experience on running a government with a budget. For example he resolved the massive San Jose city employee pension deficit problem.

I'm thrilled that Joe is running. He's so smart and accomplished, and he's a real representative for his constituents. We couldn't have a better representative in Congress!

Qualifications, values and experience matter. Joe is an exemplary public servant. He has also mentored, coached and supported dozens of other local public servants, which helps explain why he has so many early endorsements from current and former elected officials in the district. Joe has our respect, admiration, and gratitude. I've known Joe since high school. His motivation today is the same as it was when he first asked himself, to paraphrase JFK, what he could do for his country and his community. Joe has answered that question time and time again over the years with grace, patience, intelligence, wit, energy, insight, and kindness. He's opened doors for thousands of us. Now, it is our turn. Let's open the doors of Congress to Joe Simitian. And thank you, Joe, for setting an example of public service that others will be emulating for decades to come.

where are the women candidates?

Joe Simitian has served his constituents well as he is fair and of fine character. He listens to residents and will fight for them. We are fortunate to have this trusted and proven public servant follow the outstanding Congresswoman Anna Eshoo.

He gets my vote.....
III

There are a lot of Simitian fans here. Perhaps one (or more) of them could answer this question for me:

"If Joe Simitian were elected to succeed Eshoo as our congressional representative, would he vote to censure Michigan representative Rashida Tlaib for her ongoing antisemitic remarks (made both in Congress and outside of it)?"

Fetterman writes: "There are a lot of Simitian fans here."

And I'll gladly join the chorus with a few vignettes.

In 2004, I asked then State Assemblyman Simitian to be on a panel on digital privacy at my local computer user group. Prior to the state legislation he had recently authored, if your personal data was captured in the breach of a California company, there was no requirement for that entity to even inform you of what had happened. Simitian's legislation requiring disclosure to impacted consumers became the template for many other states to follow. And yes, he accepted the invitation.

In the wake of Donald Trump's 2016 election, Simitian traveled to counties in 3 states, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, that had flipped from Obama to Trump. He talked with voters for a week in each county and reported his findings to his constituents.

In 2017 he moderated a three-part series "Understanding Islam."

During the worst of the pandemic, he hosted several telephone call-in meetings with health experts.

Simitian listens, learns, and educates.

And he is accessible. He has held several filled Town Hall meetings at City Hall and is easy to find at his numerous sidewalk hours in the community.

Simitian's calm, inviting, good-humored, and informative gatherings are a trademark. But make no mistake, within there is a high ethical code, synthesis on what is best for the community, and the courage to go with them.

For example, if you watched then State Senator Simitian's "breaking ranks" comments on high speed rail in 2012 or perhaps attended or viewed the tense, jam-packed Fall 2019 county, hi-drama meeting in Palo Alto on Stanford's expansion plans, you will have integrated much more than can be said in words.

Simitian's shoes over his current three terms in supporting the interests of our district as well as the county as a whole will be sorely missed, possibly irreplaceable. But he is eminently prepared and suited for the higher calling he seeks.