Doan\u2019s campaign has trumpeted the twin endorsements as he makes the case to voters that he will lead as a solution-oriented consensus builder.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese endorsements mean a great deal to me because they reflect how I lead and how I treat people,\u201d Doan told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWhen everyone comes together, we win.\u201d<\/p>\n
San Jose\u2019s business and labor coalitions<\/a> \u2014 rough groupings of ideologically aligned candidates and organizations \u2014 have clashed in recent years over some of the city\u2019s most pressing policy decisions<\/a>, including how to shelter homeless people, how to fund affordable housing and when to raise taxes.<\/p>\n While candidates for city council occasionally enjoy some backing from both labor and business<\/a>, an outright dual endorsement is exceedingly rare<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had to throw a percentage out there, it would be maybe 1% of the time,\u201d Victor Gomez, who heads the Silicon Valley Biz PAC, told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n Even for Gomez \u2014 whose group also endorsed Doan during his successful 2022 run<\/a> to unseat then incumbent Maya Esparza<\/a> \u2014 news of the labor council\u2019s endorsement raised some question marks.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, when you see this endorsement from labor, you think, \u2018What enticed them to make that decision?’\u201d Gomez said.<\/p>\n Ultimately, Gomez said his group remains impressed with Doan\u2019s track record, including his longstanding skepticism of tax hikes.<\/p>\n \u201c(Doan) understands it from our perspective,\u201d Gomez said. \u201cWe\u2019re happy to see him advocate for the taxpayers of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n The labor council announced its three-way endorsement of District 7 candidates in a Facebook post<\/a> Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cAll three District 7 candidates demonstrate strong commitments to workers\u2019 rights, fair wages, and community-driven labor policies,\u201d the group wrote.<\/p>\n The labor council didn\u2019t endorse Doan in 2022<\/a>. But for this year\u2019s endorsement, Executive Officer Jean Cohen cited Doan\u2019s support for \u201cworker-focused measures,\u201d such as Med 30, a drug oversight program<\/a> in the city\u2019s fire department, wage theft protections and his work supporting \u201cgood faith\u201d contract negotiations with city workers.<\/p>\n \u201cOur endorsement reflects Councilmember Doan\u2019s record in office,\u201d Cohen told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n Doan highlighted his own union credentials, noting he was a member of San Jose Firefighters Local 230 over his 27-year career as a firefighter.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of my life, I\u2019ve been a union member,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause of that experience, I understand why worker protections matter.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to Nguyen and Garcia, Doan is also facing a challenge from East Side Union High School District Trustee Van Le.<\/p>\n According to the most recently released campaign finance records, Le is leading in donations<\/a> so far with a $65,217 fundraising haul, including $19,800 in loans she made to herself. She said she has received endorsements from several local education leaders, including fellow East Side Union High School District Trustee J. Manuel Herrera.<\/p>\n Doan has raised $23,746. Nguyen has raised $6,950.<\/p>\n Garcia, who has not yet filed paperwork for his run, could not immediately be reached for comment.<\/p>\n Le and Nguyen are leading figures in San Jose\u2019s Vietnamese community, who have publicly clashed with Doan<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI am running to serve the residents of District 7, who need real action and real solutions to the day-to-day issues impacting their lives right now,\u201d Nguyen told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n Le reiterated her campaign\u2019s top priorities \u2014 improving neighborhood safety, expanding housing options and supporting families.<\/p>\n \u201cEndorsements reflect the priorities of organizations, not the lived experience of District 7 residents,\u201d Le told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cVoters deserve leadership that is accountable to them first, not to any political bloc.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Keep](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769027829_854_interactive-184632509590.png\")
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