The closely watched race has centered on the candidates\u2019 competing plans<\/a> to improve public safety, rein in unsheltered homelessness and address the city\u2019s long-standing affordability crisis. The outcome also has implications for the delicate balance of power in San Jose between the city\u2019s opposing labor and business political coalitions. As a member of the council\u2019s business-aligned majority, Foley has been a consistent supporter of Mayor Matt Mahan\u2019s policy agenda.<\/p>\n A campaign watch party for Altwer supporters held at Jack Holders Restaurant and Bar erupted into cheers when the first round of results came in, showing the candidate had already leapt to a commanding lead in the race.<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels exciting,\u201d Altwer told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cIt feels like all the hard work that my team has done is paying off, and it shows in the numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n Altwer said her team of volunteers knocked on more than 20,000 doors over the course of the primary campaign, promising a fresh approach to the city\u2019s long-standing problems, including fully staffing the chronically understaffed police department and addressing the street homelessness crisis.<\/p>\n @sanjosespotlight<\/a> <\/p>\n Genny Altwer has emerged as the frontrunner for the San Jose District 9 City Council race in the June 2 primary. #election2026<\/a> #sanjose<\/a> #siliconvalley<\/a> #journalism<\/a> #localnews<\/a> <\/p>\n \u266c original sound \u2013 San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cThese were things that are important to the voters at the door, and I\u2019m the candidate that\u2019s going to deliver that for them. And I think that resonated with them.\u201d<\/p>\n Altwer, 45, previously worked in law enforcement as a sexual assault detective and hostage negotiator. She has made public safety a prime focus of her campaign and said she has a plan to add 100 more officers to the city\u2019s chronically understaffed police ranks. A newcomer to city politics, the Pinehurst neighborhood resident has made the case that her outsider status has prepared her well to offer a fresh pair of eyes to the district\u2019s policy challenges. Meanwhile, Hughes has won support from several current and former councilmembers, including Foley as well as District 10 Councilmember George Casey.<\/p>\n Altwer\u2019s campaign has received an additional boost from the business-aligned Silicon Valley Biz PAC and the San Jose Police Officers\u2019 Association\u2019s political action committee, both of which have spent tens of thousands of dollars to support her election bid.<\/p>\n In contrast, Hughes, 59, has emphasized his 12 years of experience working in the District 9 office for both Foley, who has endorsed him, and her predecessor, former Councilmember Don Rocha. He has promised to continue pressing the policy initiatives he has worked on over that time, which have included expanding homeless shelter options, such as the establishment of the tiny home facility at Cherry Avenue, and fostering community engagement through the creation of the District 9 Leadership Group.<\/p>\n As of 8:40 p.m., Hughes held onto a narrow lead ahead of Hennessy and Chester, both of whom trailed just dozens of votes behind.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re pleased with the results. We knew it was going to be a very tough race. We knew it was going to be close,\u201d Hughes told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cI think it comes down to the experience and the results that we\u2019ve delivered for our district.\u201d<\/p>\n Hennessy, 70, runs an automotive shop in Santa Clara specializing in classic cars. He describes himself as a fighter who will push hard to reduce street homelessness under a plan that emphasizes the expansion of pre-built modular shelters. The longtime De Voss Leigh neighborhood resident has also focused his campaign on fiscal responsibility, pledging to oppose new taxes until the city takes strides to boost efficiency and budget accountability.<\/p>\n After a day of working at his shop and campaigning, Hennessy awaited the returns at home while enjoying a pizza dinner with wife Susan Hennessy.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel really pretty good about,\u201d he told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cOf course, I\u2019ve been waiting a long time for this.\u201d<\/p>\n Chester, 39, has won the endorsement of the pro-housing development San Jose YIMBY group with a platform that includes support for the expansion of mid-rise developments that combine residential and commercial uses to create more walkable, dynamic neighborhoods. Chester contends his more than decade-long experience as a city employee, including his current role regulating telecom companies, has given him invaluable knowledge about the city\u2019s inner workings.<\/p>\n Gordon Chester with supporters at Stevie\u2019s Bar and Grill. Photo by Keith Menconi.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just early. We\u2019re gonna let democracy play out and then we\u2019re going to be focused on whatever comes next,\u201d Chester told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n Chester said giving him confidence as the vote tally continues is the grassroots enthusiasm that rallied to his campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cMy vision of safety really came through for a lot of people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Ator, 47, has won local notoriety for organizing his neighbors around various causes, including a campaign to oppose a proposed eight-story affordable housing complex set to replace a shuttered strip mall along Hillsdale Avenue. He has promised to leverage his experience working at a series of major tech companies to deliver\u00a0\u201cdata-driven, results-oriented leadership\u201d for District 9 residents.<\/p>\n Altwer has maintained a consistent fundraising lead over the months-long campaign, having raised $106,272, according to campaign filings<\/a> submitted ahead of a May 21 deadline. Hughes trails in the funding race in a distant second, with a campaign haul of $59,838.42. Hennessy has raised $36,133, Chester $28,395 and Ator $7,313.<\/p>\n This story will be updated.<\/p>\n Contact Keith Menconi at [email\u00a0protected]<\/a> or @KeithMenconi on X.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Genny-Altwer-3-1024x768.jpg\")
San Jose District 9 candidate Genny Altwer thanks Dan Holder, the owner of her venue for her watch party event. Photo by Keith Menconi<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Gordon-Chester-1024x768.jpg\")
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