Defend the Vote, a politically influential national Democratic political action committee, today announced its endorsement of Sam Liccardo for Congress in California’s 16th Congressional District.
“The only way to ensure that our leaders are accountable to the people instead of corporations and billionaires is to elect candidates who will protect the freedom to vote and the rule of law and get dark money out of the system,” Defend the Vote Executive Director Brian Lemek said in a statement.
His PAC already has endorsed 54 House candidates, according to its website.
Liccardo will face Democratic California Assemblymember Evan Low in November. Low topped Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian by five votes in a recount of the March 5 primary, which left the two men tied. Liccardo led Low by more than 8,200 votes in the final recount.
“In Congress, Sam will defend against extremism and threats to democracy,” said Lemek in his statement. “We look forward to working with him to pass historic reforms like the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.”
“I’m honored to receive the vote of Defend the Vote,” Liccardo said in a statement. “In the face of growing distrust, it is imperative that our elected leaders remain steadfast in their support for our democracy, and the institutions that power it. In Congress, I look forward to working with Defend the Vote to pass essential legislation that promotes democracy and the rule of law.”
Liccardo said he is committed to work in the House on “protecting and expanding the right to vote, ending dark money and ensuring democracy works for everyone.” He said he supports the Freedom to Vote Act and John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act as well as funding for local election workers to run safe and accessible elections without threat of harassment or intimidation and to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Liccard’s campaign already has announced endorsements from the NorCal Carpenters Union, Laborers' International Union of North America, California State Controller Malia Cohen, U.S. Representatives Nanette Barragan, Tony Cárdenas, Lou Correa, Robert Garcia, Linda Sanchez, and Scott Peters, Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and more than 100 local elected officials and community leaders.
Defend The Vote describes itself as a political action committee dedicated to preserving our democracy by electing candidates, up and down the ballot, who will fight to ensure fair elections, voting access, voter education and voter protection.”
Ironic, because Sam Liccardo is himself an extremist threat to democracy.
In 2022 he barred at least a third of San Joseans — the unboosted — from setting foot in San Jose City Hall (and SAP Center and other City facilities). He trumpeted his move as making San Jose the first city in California with a booster mandate. (The 12/21/21 press release is still posted on the City’s website).
The Liccardo booster mandate lasted barely a month before being repealed, after the Sharks complained.
Hard to conceive of something more extreme and undemocratic than being the only mayor in California to prevent a third of municipal residents from petitioning in person their elected representatives.
Defend The Vote describes itself as a political action committee dedicated to preserving elites by electing candidates, up and down the ballot, who will fight to ensure total elimination of all elections , bring about re-education camps, and continue to fleece Americans.” Hooray!
More Dem votes, fair or legitimate, or not — we know that already.
It’s no surprise they’re on his side. More interesting for people to consider will be not just how much Liccardo wants this Washington gig, but if he tries to be a lifer once there, if he catches the swoon others do, or want to be a regular who has plenty to go back and forth between “work” in Washington and home to take advantage of new as well as old connections made. Big Tech has been flexing its muscles for some time now and plans more in DC, too, with what might be connections of its own with old and new members of Congress. Stay tuned.
While I find some of Low’s ideas asinine, at least he is a more genuine candidate and promotes his actual beliefs. He entered politics at young age, and I see how he has changed some of his views as he got older.
With Liccardo, I sense desperation to get elected at all costs. He says whatever he thinks voters want to hear. Then, once in the office, he will be just another traditional politician for sale to highest bidder, looking to enrich himself.