Ex-Mayor Liccardo eyes a run for Congress
Potential foe Zoe Lofgren replies, `I don't run to lose'
What's next for ex-San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo? It might be a move to Washington, D.C.
Liccardo, who led the country's 10th-largest city for eight years, is considering a run for Congress in 2024 — and is eyeing the seats of Rep. Zoe Lofgren and Rep. Anna Eshoo, Democrats who represent large swaths of Silicon Valley.
Lofgren said the former mayor reached her by phone earlier this month to give her notice. The congresswoman told him “it's a free country if he wants to run.” But, she told this news organization, she plans to put up a fight.
“I plan to run for reelection, and I don't run to lose,” Lofgren said. “I'm prepared to run and to win if he decides to make the run.”
Liccardo confirmed to this news organization that he's considering a bid for Congress, but said nothing has been finalized. “I'm still looking at a lot of options and certainly haven't made any decisions yet,” he said. “I'm looking at different ways I can serve, and Congress is certainly not the only one.”
Eshoo's campaign office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
First elected mayor in 2014, Liccardo termed out this year and was replaced by former Councilman Matt Mahan. The former mayor, 52, declined to specify what other options he's considering but said he expects to make a decision about his next move in the next few weeks.
If he decides to run for Congress, it wouldn't be the first time in this election cycle that the younger generation takes on the old guard — whether or not
the veterans are ready to retire. Before 89-year-old Sen. Dianne Feinstein announced her plan to retire, two younger candidates already had launched campaigns for her seat. A third — Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland — officially entered the
race this week.
Lofgren, 75, said Liccardo started their call, which was a bit truncated because of a poor connection since the ex-mayor was in Colombia at the time, by asking the congresswoman if she plans to retire.
“I told him I'm toward the end of my career but I'm not planning on retiring right now,” Lofgren said. “I want to see if some things I'm working on can advance in this Congress.” Those issues include immigration reform and turning fusion technology into a viable energy source.
Liccardo told Lofgren his first step was launching a poll to assess his popularity with voters. When Lofgren asked Liccardo if he indeed plans on running, he stopped short of confirming his intentions — instead telling Lofgren she'd “be the first to know,” she said. He also mentioned he was considering Eshoo's seat, Lofgren said.
The news wasn't much of a surprise. Lofgren, who has worked with Liccardo on San Jose issues for years, said Liccardo told her two years ago that he wants to end up in Congress.
In taking on either Lofgren or Eshoo — whose districts include portions of San Jose — Liccardo would be going toe to toe with congressional veterans. Eshoo, at age 80, has spent two decades in Congress. Lofgren, who serves as the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, has served for nearly three decades.