Pick leader over disbarred lawyer for SJ City Council

Polling of San Jose’s District 7 residents shows that their four most important issues are, in order, homelessness, jobs, public safety and housing. With good reason. Anyone spending time in the neighborhoods along the Monterey Road corridor can see that there is work to be done to improve what has been the city’s most neglected district.

The current councilman, disbarred attorney Tam Nguyen, has been ineffective in combating the problems or unifying the political factions that make up the diverse district adjacent to downtown.

Challenger Maya Esparza would be a breath of needed fresh air. We recommend her to District 7 voters in the Nov. 6 election.

Esparza didn’t receive our endorsement in the June primary. But we said that she stood out as a qualified candidate and hoped she would make the runoff.

Esparza is director of the nonprofit Destination Home’s “All the Way Home” campaign to end veteran homelessness. It puts her head and shoulders ahead of her opponent in preparing to deal with what is clearly the No. 1 problem facing District 7. The contacts, experience and inclusive approach she brings to her work would serve her well on the City Council.

Her work on the Franklin-McKinley School District Board enhanced her reputation for being a community builder. She also has nearly 20 years’ experience working in a leadership role on volunteer boards and commissions, including the GuadalupeCoyote Resource Conservation District, Second Harvest Food Bank and American Red Cross.

Contrast that with Nguyen, who has contributed to internal feuding within the Vietnamese community and is one of the least effective members on the council.

It’s not a close call. For much needed change, voters should back Esparza.