(SAN JOSE, Calif.) San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez on Wednesday launched his campaign to become the city’s next mayor.
According to The Mercury News, Peralez is the first candidate to publicly announce his campaign for the 2022 mayoral race to replace Mayor Sam Liccardo.
In a YouTube video, Peralez says he's running for mayor to "create a San Jose that works better for all of us today and for generations to come.”
“As we begin to finally emerge from this pandemic, we have an opportunity to do things differently, to make a difference in the quality of life for all San Jose residents,” Peralez says in the video. “But we need the will and the vision to think outside the box and to pursue bold policies and programs that will address the challenges and eliminate the inequities that we face.”
If elected, Peralez would become the third mayor of color in San Jose history.
He will focus on affordable housing, equity and boosting disadvantaged communities and local businesses, according to San Jose Spotlight.
Councilmember Sergio Jimenez has endorsed Perlez due to his policies on homelessness and housing.
“He has taken on those challenging issues many councilmembers have shied away from through the years,” Jimenez told San Jose Spotlight. “And the challenges they pose. That’s the leadership we need from the next mayor of the city.”
As the son of a Mexican immigrant, Peralez was born and raised in San Jose. He received a degree in mathematics from San Jose State University and became a substitute teacher at the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall.
Peralez also served as a San Jose police officer for eight years but resigned after winning the District 3 race in 2014. He was re-elected to the council in 2018.