Mike Honda Ponders Mayoral Run

Former California Congressman Mike Honda is contemplating throwing his hat into the city of San Jose's 2018 mayoral race -- a move that could make what has so far looked like an easy re-election campaign for sitting Mayor Sam Liccardo a challenge. The 76-year-old Democrat was ousted from Congress after eight terms by now-Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) in a bitter 2016 election. Honda faced a congressional ethics investigation into allegations he relied on congressional staffers for political purposes, a charge Khanna used to characterize Honda as a corrupt politician. The Sacramento-area native moved to Silicon Valley and taught science, also working as a school principal before joining the San Jose school board. He has also served on the city’s planning commission and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Honda joined the State Assembly in 1996 before moving to Congress four years later. Honda is considered very friendly to labor and could get a necessary boost from local union endorsements should he decide to run. We’ll keep you posted. More here.