Polls Show Close Race for Congress

As we quickly march closer to Election Day on March 5, the race to succeed U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo is becoming tighter. A recent poll by San Jose Spotlight showed former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo capturing the preferences of 16% of likely voters in the district. Supervisor Joe Simitian was preferred by 13.3%, Rish Kumar was third at 7.5%, and Assemblymember Evan Low was slightly behind at 7.3%. Despite the results being relatively tight among the candidates, 33% of those polled indicated they were still undecided.

That poll is now about two weeks old and spending, particularly by Super PACS that may be motivating some of those undecided voters. A veteran-focused PAC has spent over $1 million supporting Marine veteran and Democrat Peter Dixon. A native of Atherton, Dixon has secured endorsements from several East Coast Congress members and notably former Assemblymember Nora Campos.

Evan Low has benefited from $400,000 in digital ads from a Super PAC, and Simitian and Liccardo have each been bolstered by $250,000 and $300,000 respectively from Super PACs. Keep in mind that Super PACs are not allowed to coordinate with candidate campaigns and are limited in what they can contribute directly to candidates.