Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Assemblymember Evan Low faced off in a Congressional District 16 debate hosted by NBC Bay Area, Telemundo 48 and KQED.
The Friday night debate at NBC Bay Area in San Jose was originally planned for Wednesday, Oct. 2, before it was canceled after Liccardo withdrew, citing laryngitis.
NBC Bay Area anchor Raj Mathai, Telemundo 48 anchor Dayanna Monroy, and KQED politics and government correspondent Guy Marzorati served as debate moderators.
Why was the District 16 debate rescheduled?
Liccardo on Oct. 2 released the following statement on social media after his campaign notified NBC Bay Area about his laryngitis:
"Knocking on doors across our community and participating in nearly 100 meet-and-greets and several debates has been the best part of campaigning, but it’s taken its toll on my vocal cords. I’ve unfortunately lost my voice, and had to cancel three meet-and-greets yesterday, and pull out of a scheduled debate with NBC this evening. We’re cancelling other events until my voice recovers. My doctor has given me medication to help with the laryngitis, and I hope to be back out there in a few days. My team is working hard to find another time for this important forum — voters deserve to hear what the candidates have to say. NBC tells us that if the Low campaign agrees to another time, we can reschedule, and I fully expect we will — stay tuned."
Hours after Liccardo's post, Low's campaign manager issued a statement questioning the reason the former mayor withdrew from the debate writing, in part "It's extremely suspicious -- especially since it comes days after San Jose police and firefighters blasted Liccardo for lying about his record attacking first responders and causing the city to lose 500 cops on the beat… Liccardo should prove it.”
When asked for a response to the Low statement, Liccardo reiterated his post on X, writing "Having lost my voice, I'm disappointed I'm unable to participate in the debate tonight, but I've instructed our team to do everything possible to reschedule this televised debate within the next three weeks to ensure voters have an opportunity to hear from both candidates.
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The Liccardo campaign also wrote to NBC Bay Area: "As soon as it became clear Sam's voice would not recover, we communicated clearly with the organizers and provided alternative dates." The campaign also provided images of a prescription and a doctor's note indicating the former mayor was evaluated for laryngitis, and was advised to rest his voice for the next five to seven days.
Here's the doctor's note, which NBC Bay Area has redacted certain information for medical privacy reasons:
Why is California's 16th Congressional District seat open?
Rep. Anna Eshoo announced in November 2023 she would not seek re-election and was retiring.
Eshoo, 81, has occupied California's 16th Congressional seat since being elected in 1992 as the first woman and Democrat to ever represent the area. She previously served for a decade on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
Why was there a recount for District 16 primary election results?
In May, Low won a recount in the 16th Congressional district race, defeating Joe Simitian by five votes to set up a showdown with Liccardo in the November election.
Requests for a recount were submitted in April. At the time, Liccardo, Low and Simitian were expected to advance to the November elections.
Simitian and Low ended the primary with the unlikely tie, each garnering exactly 30,249 votes.
What were the Congressional District 16 election results from the California primary?
What areas are within California's 16th Congressional District?
The state's 16th Congressional District serves parts of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
Here's a breakdown of the communities within the district:
- San Mateo County: Atherton, La Honda, Ladera, Loma Mar, Menlo Park, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Portola Valley and Woodside
- Santa Clara County: Campbell, Cambrian Park, Fruitdale, Lexington Hills, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Palo Alto, parts of San Jose (including unincorporated communities), Saratoga and Stanford
