U.S. House of Representatives, District 16

Why does this race matter? 

U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo’s decision not to seek reelection after more than three decades in Congress opened up this reliably liberal Silicon Valley seat, covering communities from Pacifica to San José.

What does a U.S. representative do?

Representatives are your local community’s voice in the U.S. House of Representatives. Members of Congress write and vote on bills, including the federal budget. The winner will serve a two-year term.

Candidates

Sam Liccardo
Sam LiccardoFormer Mayor, San JoséDemocrat
Evan Low
Evan LowState Assembly MemberDemocrat

Key Supporters

This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.

For Liccardo

  • Matt Mahan, mayor, San José
  • Ray Mueller, supervisor, San Mateo County
  • Jeff Rosen, district attorney, Santa Clara County
  • Jackie Speier, former U.S. representative
  • Everytown for Gun Safety

For Low

  • Laphonza Butler, U.S. senator 
  • Ro Khanna, U.S. representative 
  • California Democratic Party 
  • California Labor Federation 
  • California Teachers Association
 

Positions on Key Issues
Candidate summaries are based on interviews with the candidates, questionnaires, statements made at debates and public events, and past news coverage.

Do you support the terms of the failed bipartisan immigration agreement supported by President Joe Biden earlier this year that included more money for border security and limits on asylum seekers?

Liccardo says his stance depends on the details affecting Dreamers and high-skilled immigrants. He points to his experience prosecuting drug smuggling and human trafficking as a U.S. attorney in advocating for more federal resources at the border. “They need technology, they need more border patrol — there's a lot we can do to improve security,” he says, including pushing Mexico to secure its southern border.
Low says of the agreement, “It is important that that is supported, and that's something that I very much look forward to addressing when in Congress.” He adds that residents across the district would benefit from more pathways to citizenship. “Whether it be farmworkers, whether it be Dreamers, and then also that of Silicon Valley and tech — we need highly trained, highly skilled, international workers to continue to make Silicon Valley thrive.”

How will you approach regulation of the tech industry? Do you support the law signed by President Biden to ban TikTok, which is owned by a Chinese company, unless it is sold?

Liccardo calls the TikTok law “an inadequate but probably necessary step,” adding “I understood the importance of sending a clear message that we're not going to allow social media platforms to be this subject of manipulation by foreign interests that do not have the American interests at heart.” He supports changes to Section 230 of the Communications Act to establish a “floor for responsibility” for social media companies regarding the content posted on their platforms.
Low did not take a position on the TikTok law, calling it “a blunt instrument and approach” that raises difficult questions. “How do we balance capitalism, which we are based on, while also consumer data protection and privacy?” Low founded the California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus in the state Legislature to protect and promote the state’s tech sector. “It's important that the Silicon Valley member of Congress has competency on these issues,” he says.

How have you helped the Bay Area’s transit needs? What is your vision to fill the current $700 million funding shortfall in the South Bay BART extension?

Liccardo led a campaign to pass Measure RR in 2020, creating a dedicated funding source for Caltrain. He says BART should consider cutting plans for a Santa Clara station as one idea to make the extension financially feasible. “There need to be significant cuts in scope,” he says. “The role of a representative is to get everybody in a room to talk about ‘How are we going to get this done?’”
Low says of the BART extension, “The vast majority of voters support this effort … my job [is] to get the resources of the federal level, strengthen those partnerships with our transportation secretary and [make] sure that we bring the resources back home.” In the Legislature, he voted for the 2023 state budget, which freed up billions of dollars allocated for capital projects to cover operating expenses for struggling transit agencies like BART.

What policies have you supported and will you support to reduce carbon emissions and help residents deal with the effects of climate change?

Liccardo wants Congress to enact low-cost financing for homeowners to make climate-friendly investments in their homes, such as rooftop solar, energy storage or home hardening, which makes homes more resistant to fires and storms. As mayor, he helped launch the municipal electricity provider San José Clean Energy and supported a ban on natural gas infrastructure in new construction. “We worked really hard on a strategy that would really decarbonize our grid,” he says.
Low says the district’s representative should keep California’s climate goals in mind while “also using homegrown technologies to get us to that point.” He voted to extend California’s cap-and-trade program to limit greenhouse gas emissions and supported a bill banning new oil and gas wells near schools and homes.

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