3 Sunnyvale City Council Candidates Square Off Tuesday Night

SUNNYVALE - Three men running for a vacant seat on the Sunnyvale City Council will discuss their platforms during a forum Tuesday evening.

The candidates are looking to secure the seat once held by David Whittum, who resigned in April citing "work-life balance reasons." A special election on Aug. 16 will determine who will serve the four months left of Whittum's term from mid-September to mid-January.

The candidates are John Cordes, an environmental advocate; Larry Klein, an engineering program manager and Stephen Williams, an entrepreneur and software advocate.

Cordes has lived in Sunnyvale for more than 18 years and worked in the semiconductor industry for more than 30 years, according to his campaign website. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves have endorsed him.

Cordes' priorities include minimizing traffic, building affordable housing and providing residents with technology to engage with city leaders, according to his website.

Klein, who moved to the city more than 25 years ago, currently serves on the Planning Commission, his campaign website says.

Klein has plans to complete the city's Town Center, reduce traffic and maintain the city's efforts in protecting the environment and staying fiscally afloat, according to his campaign website. Klein has received endorsements from Whittum, Sunnyvale Mayor Glenn Hendricks and state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo.

Williams is looking to fix the city's public transportation, increase the number of entry-level jobs and provide the public with clearer and current information on projects and decisions, according to online election guide Voter's Edge.

Tuesday's forum, organized by the League of Women Voters, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the City Hall Council Chambers at 456 W. Olive Ave.

Voters in the city have until Aug. 1 to register for the special election.

Monday, the county's Registrar of Voters mailed out 40,000 vote-by-mail ballots and opened an early voting center at its office at 1555 Berger Drive in San Jose.

Also starting Monday until Election Day, voters can drop off their ballots during normal business hours at the Santa Clara County Government at 70 W. Hedding in San Jose and the City Finance Office at City Hall.

People can also turn in their ballots anytime of the day at outdoor drop boxes at the registrar's office and Sunnyvale Public Library at 655 W. Olive Ave.

-Bay City News