The money is independent from Williams\u2019 campaign and can be used for communications such as advertising and mailers. Williams, a university administrator and president of the Santa Clara Schools Foundation, said she did not ask for the team\u2019s backing, nor can she control the spending. She worries the 49ers\u2019 involvement could create the perception that she is tied to the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo me, it\u2019s excessive and somewhat troubling to see that much money being put into this kind of a local election,\u201d Williams told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n
Williams said the outside spending could also make it harder for her to raise money because voters may assume her campaign has access to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Election filings show Williams\u2019 campaign reported $5,938 in total contributions through Sept. 25, including $3,053 in personal loans.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not have hundreds of thousands of dollars at my disposal,\u201d Williams said. \u201cI just finished hand stamping 3,000 postcards. Trust me, I do not have hundreds of thousands of dollars at my house.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 49ers did not respond to questions about the District 2 spending, but a team representative previously said their political support is focused on candidates who will address issues that include affordability and the city\u2019s finances. The team is also spending big in the mayoral contest<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are proud to once again support a diverse slate of candidates running for city leadership \u2014 consensus builders who will tackle the affordability crisis, and manage the city\u2019s finances responsibly while investing in the city\u2019s future,\u201d a 49ers spokesperson previously told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n Inciarte, a government relations director and former director of intergovernmental strategy for Congressman Ro Khanna, said the 49ers\u2019 involvement shows the team is trying to influence who controls City Hall. She reported $15,709 in total contributions, according to her latest campaign finance filings.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, it\u2019s pathetic. The 49ers are spending millions of dollars in a desperate attempt to keep control of City Hall,\u201d Inciarte told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. That\u2019s money that could be going back into our community.\u201d<\/p>\n Inciarte said the 49ers should focus less on political spending and more on bringing concerts and other live events<\/a> to Levi\u2019s Stadium. She said that could generate more revenue for the city and support stadium workers. She also questioned whether residents know how much the stadium generates from non-football events.<\/p>\n The outside spending has also prompted questions about whether the 49ers\u2019 involvement could shape the District 2 race. Williams said the team has the resources to spend heavily in local elections and that voters should consider the influence of outside money when evaluating candidates.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not a one issue city, right?\u201d Williams said. \u201cLike the 49ers, special interest money. It is a lot. It is something to be aware of. It is not the only special interest money that unfortunately gets spent in Santa Clara politics.\u201d<\/p>\n The District 2 race is one of two contested council races in Santa Clara this year. District 3 candidates Eric Crutchlow and Kyle Madej are also competing for an open seat, with Councilmember Karen Hardy terming out in December and seeking the mayor\u2019s seat<\/a>.<\/p>\n Crutchlow, who chairs the Santa Clara Planning Commission, reported $4,260 in total contributions through Sept. 25, including a $2,000 loan to his campaign. Madej, CEO of Sentinel Holdings Ltd., reported $10,395.90 in total contributions during the same period.<\/p>\n Madej said the 49ers have so far stayed out of the District 3 race.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve stayed out of our race, and I hope they stay out of our race,\u201d Madej told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cI think the voters should be able to make that decision with a clear mind rather than feeling like they have to side with one side or the other.\u201d<\/p>\n Crutchlow said he is happy the 49ers haven\u2019t put money into the contest.<\/p>\n \u201cI like the idea behind our democracy \u2014 voters choose who they want to elect,\u201d he told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWhen you get a large amount of money, and they can try and sway us, not good. I didn\u2019t want any kind of backing from PACs and I don\u2019t take money from companies in general.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"In-line](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791721845_808_interactive-321838904008.png\")
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