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SCCAOR Endorses Candidates for the City of Milpitas General Election

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) is proud to announce endorsements for the following candidates for the City of Milpitas General Election.

  • Incumbent Bob Nunez for City Council
  • Incumbent Anthony Phan for City Council

The SCCAOR Board of Directors recognizes these candidates as aligning with our mission as a pro-housing and property rights association and are proud to offer them our endorsement. To get involved in either candidate’s race or if you are interested in any promotional material, such as lawn signs, please contact the candidate on their campaign websites listed below.

Vice Mayor Nunez is a longtime resident and homeowner in the City of Milpitas and brings the expertise needed to represent the Milpitas community. He is a staunch supporter of private property rights and has always supported REALTOR® Party values. Bob wants to bring more affordable housing to the City of Milpitas so everyone has the opportunity to be a part of the community.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of SCCAOR and continue to work together to accomplish one of my main priorities of building more housing for all income levels in the City of Milpitas.”
-Bob Nunez

Bob’s Website Contribute to Bob Bob on the Issues

 

Councilmember Phan has a passion and enthusiasm for public service and is the right choice to continue to serve the City of Milpitas. He has been supportive of REALTOR® Party values and protecting private property rights in the City of Milpitas. One of Anthony’s main priorities to continue to focus on is building more housing in the City of Milpitas. He wants to remove barriers to development with new ideas such as density bonuses, streamlined permitting processes, and reducing parking requirements

“I’m truly honored to receive the endorsement of SCCAOR. During a time of unprecedented uncertainty in the economy, I believe experienced leadership is critical in ensuring the safety of our communities and neighborhoods and bringing our economy back on the right track. I look forward to continuing working closely with SCCAOR in expanding opportunities and creating incentives for our shared economy to thrive once again.”
-Anthony Phan

Anthony’s Website Contribute to Anthony Anthony on the Issues

 

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SCCAOR Endorses Candidates for the City of Gilroy General Election

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) is proud to announce endorsements for the following candidates for the City of Gilroy General Election.

  • Councilmember Marie Blankley for City of Gilroy Mayor
  • Councilmember Fred Tovar for Gilroy City Council
  • Candidate Danny Mitchell for Gilroy City Council
  • Candidate Zach Hilton for Gilroy City Council 

The SCCAOR Board of Directors recognizes these candidates as aligning with our mission as a pro-housing and property rights association and are proud to offer them our endorsement. To get involved in either candidate’s race or if you are interested in any promotional material, such as lawn signs, please contact the candidate on their campaign websites listed below.

Marie was raised in the City of Gilroy and is now a proud home and business owner in the community. During her time on the City Council she has consistently advocated to protect private property rights and increase housing supply. She is a strong advocate of ADU production. It creates valuable infill affordable housing stock for young professionals and senior citizens while protecting neighborhoods. As a CPA she brings expertise to economic recovery and growth, which is a main component of her platform. She also supports continuing to facilitate smart housing growth available for residents of all income levels and holding study sessions with the public and County to address the issue of homelessness. 

“I’m proud to be endorsed by SCCAOR and of all the work they do to support property rights.”
-Marie Blankley

Marie’s Website Donate to Marie Marie on the Issues

 

Fred is running for a second term on City Council to continue to develop the future of the community and support the vision residents have for the future. He pledges to continue to focus on the revitalization of downtown Gilroy, economic growth and recovery, and improving the overall quality of life for the community. Fred’s long term plan for the future of Gilroy includes ensuring enough housing supply exists at all income levels and making homeownership more affordable and accessible.

“I am proud to receive the endorsement of SCCAOR for my re-election campaign. I am committed to ensuring that Gilroy continues to be a wonderful place to live for all people.”
-Fred Tovar

Fred’s Website Donate to Fred Fred on the Issues

Danny has called the community of Gilroy home for over 60 years. As a proud homeowner and prominent figure in the local business community he has a great understanding of what is best for the City of Gilroy. Danny is a strong proponent of smart growth and planning to ensure connectivity between neighborhoods, parks, services, and job centers. He supports projects that provide a good mix of affordable housing helping Gilroy to meet Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals. Danny’s other key platform issues include economic growth with a fiscal focus, public safety, and recreation services.

“I want to thank the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® for their endorsement of my campaign. I will work with SCCAOR to support their efforts to jointly work with our city and our local community to provide professional support and assist our residents with their housing needs.”
-Danny Mitchell

Danny’s Website Donate to Danny Danny on the Issues

 

As a firefighter and the Chair of the Gilroy Bicycle Commission Zach has a true passion for public service. He is proud to raise his family in the City of Gilroy and is ready to take the next step to represent the community by serving as a Councilmember. Zach’s main issues of focus are affordable housing for all, safe communities, local economic development, quality education, and active transportation. He is a major proponent of liveable, walkable, bikeable communities in Gilroy by promoting a downtown with housing, retail, dining, job centers, and a strong transportation network. Zach is a strong supporter of increasing ADU development as an important form of missing middle housing and increasing affordable ownership housing stock such as duplexes, townhomes, and condos.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement from the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®. I look forward to building a partnership with SCCAOR where we can make Gilroy Livable For All, while ensuring that we protect and promote homeownership and private property rights.”
-Zach Hilton

Zach’s Website Donate to Zach Zach on the Issues
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SCCAOR Endorses Larry Carr for Morgan Hill City Council District A

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) voted to endorse incumbent Larry Carr for City of Morgan Hill District A Councilmember. The SCCAOR Board of Directors recognizes Larry as aligning with our mission as a pro-housing and property rights association and are proud to offer him our endorsement. To get involved in Larry’s re-election campaign or if you are interested in any promotional material, such as lawn signs, please contact the candidate on their campaign website listed below.

Councilmember Carr is a longtime resident and homeowner in the City of Morgan Hill. Growing up in Morgan Hill and raising a family of his own in the City has allowed Larry several years of expertise to understand what is best for his community. His main priority is to facilitate the smart growth of Morgan Hill that creates housing availability for everyone, while creating job opportunities and protecting valuable open space in the region. Other priorities include economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic to safely reopen businesses, public safety, and equity throughout the community.

Upon receiving this endorsement, Councilmember Carr said that he is “honored to have the endorsement of SCCAOR and continue to work together to serve the City of Morgan Hill.”

Larry’s Website Donate to Larry Larry on the Issues
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SCCAOR Endorses Campbell City Council Candidates for General Election

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) voted unanimously to endorse Terry Hines for Campbell City Council District 1 and Carol Hoffman for Campbell City Council District 2. The SCCAOR Board of Directors recognizes both candidates as aligning with our mission as a pro-housing and property rights association and are proud to offer them our endorsement. To get involved in either candidate’s race or if you are interested in any promotional material, such as lawn signs, please contact the candidate on their campaign website listed below.

Terry is a longtime resident and homeowner in the City of Campbell. He brings certain expertise on planning, zoning, and development from his time serving on the Campbell Planning Commission. His main priorities include economic development and recovery, increasing affordable housing, especially for young professionals, and public safety. Terry is a strong advocate for increasing ADU production as a great way to increase affordable housing in the City.

Statement from Terry:

 “Terry Hines is proud to receive the endorsement from the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®. REALTORS® are an important part of our success in Campbell as they foster our shared principles and values. We share the goal for a strong recovery from the COVID-19 impact on our small businesses and housing. We will all help Campbell grow together with improved services and safety. Let’s stand stronger together!”

Terry’s Website Donate to Terry Terry on the Issues

 

Carol is a longtime resident of Campbell with a passion for public service. She has Chaired the Campbell Civic Improvement Commission, graduated from the Leadership Campbell Program, serves on Campbell Rotary, and is the VP of the Campbell Police Foundation. Her main priorities include ensuring public safety, economic development, and recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic, and smart growth to help solve the region’s housing crisis.

Statement from Carol:

“I am happy to receive the endorsement from the Santa Clara County Associaton of REALTORS®. I look forward to working towards a common goal of making housing more available to our community.”

Carol’s Website Donate to Carol Carol on the Issues

 

 

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SCCAOR Endorses Otto Lee for District 3 County Supervisor

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) voted unanimously to endorse Candidate Otto Lee for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 3.

The SCCAOR Board of Directors recognizes Otto Lee as aligning with our mission as a pro-housing and property rights association and are proud to offer him this endorsement.

Otto made the following statement upon hearing the news of the endorsement. “At a time when housing is a major priority for our community, I am honored that the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® has endorsed my campaign for Supervisor. Our REALTORS® are in the business of fulfilling dreams, and it is important that all us, and our children, have an opportunity to have a home of their own. I will fight for better housing for all, and for our future. Thank you for your support.”

Otto has a strong understanding of REALTOR® Party issues as he has an active real estate license. Otto has a long history of serving the public. He has previously served as Mayor, Councilmember, and Planning Commissioner for the City of Sunnyvale and served in the U.S. Navy for many years.

He works as an intellectual property attorney in San José. Otto and his wife, Sally, reside in Sunnyvale with their three young daughters.

Otto is running for Supervisor to continue his lifelong dedication to public service, using his experience to improve Santa Clara County for everyone. As Supervisor, he will take real action to solve the problems that harm our community, including the extreme cost of housing, increase in homelessness, and quality of life issues like public safety and traffic congestion.

He would be serving the constituents in District 3, which includes Milpitas, parts of San Jose and Sunnyvale, and some unincorporated areas. Click here to find out if you live in District 3 and check your voter registration status.

Otto’s Website Donate to Otto Otto on the Issues
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Apply to be a C.A.R. Director for 2021

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® would like to invite all primary REALTOR® members to apply to be a new 2021 Director for the California Association of REALTORS®.

APPLY NOW

Why should I be a C.A.R. Director?
It’s a great opportunity to meet with state legislators about important issues, gain valuable knowledge about what’s trending in real estate, and network with other real estate professionals.

What exactly will I do?
Directors will attend three C.A.R. meetings in 2021 to represent SCCAOR on the state level at various committee meetings. It is yet to be determined if the 2021 meetings will be held in-person, virtually, or a combination of the two. The spring meeting has historically taken place in Sacramento and the other two meeting locations are yet to be determined.

Ready to apply?
Just fill out the online application. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, July 14, 2020.

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A message from SCCAOR President Sandy Jamison

Here at SCCAOR we are profoundly shocked and saddened by the death of George Floyd. Our deepest sympathies are with the Floyd family and countless others who share this pain and grief.

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® strives to create an inclusive environment that represents our members and our community in Santa Clara County. We are an organization whose members and their clients are made up of an incredibly diverse group of people. We must strongly denounce any statements or expressions made that aim to divide our community and nation. Peaceful protesting is an American right, but we also cannot support those that want to do harm to our communities, especially during these difficult times when small businesses need our support more than ever. Vandalism, theft and violence is never acceptable behavior. We need to pull together and support our communities.

SCCAOR members and all REALTORS® nationwide abide by a strict code of ethics that calls on us to respect all individuals and to not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. REALTORS® have consistently been and will continue to be champions and a voice for fair housing and equality. We must never forget this and the importance of equality and opportunity for all in housing and life.

We truly appreciate everything that our members do for this community. Thank you for continuing to promote equality and inclusion as you go about your work. Let’s keep the dialogue open as we try our best to work together towards creating a better life for our community, a better life for our clients, a better life for our families, and a better life for ourselves.

Sincerely,

Sandy Jamison
SCCAOR President

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® Revokes Endorsement of Jim Zito for San Jose City Council District 8

The Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) on Thursday February 12, 2020, chose to revoke its endorsement of Jim Zito for San Jose City Council District 8 in the March 3, 2020 primary election.

“Our Association strives to endorse candidates that support REALTOR® Party values and also exhibit the highest level of moral fiber,” said SCCAOR President Sandy Jamison. “The alleged domestic abuse that Jim Zito forced upon his family is completely out of line with the values that we believe in as an Association. For these reasons, we are no longer endorsing Candidate Jim Zito.”

Neil Collins, SCCAOR CEO, said that these allegations were deeply concerning.

“We are extremely troubled to learn about the recent allegations against Jim Zito,” said SCCAOR CEO Neil Collins. “If any of these allegations are true, they are in direct conflict with the SCCAOR brand and everything we stand for.”

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REALTORS® Organize Toy Drive to Help Foster Children

Members of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS® (SCCAOR) donated hundreds of toys and pajamas at their recent Member Holiday Mixer event. In addition to the donations, a total of $2536 was raised during the event, with all donations and money raised during the event went to the Kinship, Adoptive and Foster Parent Association.

“It was amazing to see the generosity of the REALTOR® Family,” said Gustavo Gonzalez, SCCAOR President. “KAFPA is an amazing organization that does great work for our community. We are truly honored to be able to support them each year with these donations.”

KAFPA is a nonprofit that provides resources and advocates for the needs of foster and adoptive families in Santa Clara County. They provide youth programming and family programming, serving over 300 foster, kinship, and adoptive parents and about 1600 foster, kinship, and adoptive and biological children.

You can view photos from the event on our Facebook page.

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Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation Donates 250 Thanksgiving Turkeys Local Organizations

The Santa Clara County REALTORS® Foundation, the charitable arm of the Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, recently made turkey donations to three South Bay organizations that all focus on giving back to those in need.

“As we come into this time of giving, it is good to stop and reflect on the things we are grateful for,” said Don Jessup, Chair of the Foundation. “I am grateful for all of the SCCAOR REALTOR® and Affiliate members who gave so much to make this day possible. Taking care of our community is what we do and today we helped three great organizations feed those that are in need.”

The SCCR Foundation donated a total of 250 turkeys that were split between Martha’s Kitchen in San Jose, City Team in San Jose, and St. Joseph’s Family Center in Gilroy. All three organizations provide hot meals and other assistance to those in need.

About each organization

Martha’s Kitchen: Since 1981, about 4,500,000 meals have been served at Martha’s Kitchen with the help of volunteers from surrounding communities, schools and churches of all denominations, along with individual donors in the spirit of Louise Benson’s concept of feeding the hungry in our community. (Read more)

City Team: Since 1957, CityTeam has been serving people in extreme poverty and helping them transform their lives, their families and their communities. Today, with the help of volunteers and faithful donors, CityTeam is impacting the lives of over 500,000 people each year. (Read more)

St. Joseph’s Family Center: The Food Pantry is the oldest and largest program that St. Joseph’s operates. Low income families and individuals receive nutritious, balanced food baskets, Tuesday through Friday, that help them maintain a proper diet and physical well-being. Homeless receive nourishing and filling lunch bags daily, Monday through Friday. A large assortment of fresh produce is distributed every Monday morning. The Food Pantry established and supports 10 off-site pantries located in schools and agencies throughout the South County. (Read more)