San Jose vice mayor endorses former rival

Four years ago, San Jose Vice Mayor Rose Herrera and City Council candidate Jimmy Nguyen were adversaries fighting for her District 8 seat on the council. Herrera is now singing Nguyen’s praises and took the unexpected step Tuesday of endorsing her former re-election rival in his second run to replace her.

“I want to make sure the next council member is working for the community and not special interests,” said Herrera, who’s termed out this year in December after eight years on the council. “He is committed to the things that are important to me, and he cares about fiscal accountability.”

Herrera said there’s no bad blood between her and Nguyen after she beat him in 2012 by more than 2,700 votes. The two agree on several issues — prioritizing public safety, supporting Measure F to implement a pension settlement, extending light rail to Eastridge Mall to connect to BART and protecting industrial lands above Evergreen College from being used for housing.

Herrera has expressed concerns with a controversial proposal to turn 27 acres near Evergreen College to housing. Nguyen opposes that project.

Herrera also said Nguyen’s experience as a real estate attorney is critical because the council often deals with complex land development deals.

Nguyen said Tuesday he’s “honored” to have Herrera’s nod of approval.

“As a two-time council member serving our district, it’s a very important thing for me to have her endorsement,” Nguyen said. “I want to carry on the work that she’s done in District 8.”

Herrera’s endorsement of Nguyen raised a few eyebrows around City Hall because the vice mayor has often advocated for more women in office. But Herrera said Nguyen’s female competitor,

Sylvia Arenas, didn’t seek her endorsement.

“My record of supporting women stands on its own,” Herrera said, adding that she supported, Denise Belisle , in the District 8 primary, Madison

Nguyen in the 27th Assembly District race and Hillary Clinton for president. “All things being equal, I will support women — but they have to seek my endorsement.”

While Nguyen won what many consider a key endorsement, Arenas this week faces a fine from the city for failing to report her campaign contributions on time. The disclosure form was due Sept. 29, but Arenas’ campaign didn’t file until Saturday.

San Jose City Clerk Toni Taber said Arenas will be charged $10 for each day she was tardy — about $90. The new filing shows Arenas has raised just a little more than Nguyen — $48,274 as of Sept. 24, compared with Nguyen’s $45,907.