Congressional District 16 candidate Liccardo- Not running for fame, just doing things_1
In a recent interview, Sam Liccardo, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from California’s 16th District and former mayor of San José, shared insights into his new book titled “Let’s Get it Done.” With the election date just two weeks away on November 5, Liccardo emphasized that his campaign is not about seeking fame but about taking real action.
The 130-page book details his perspectives on several critical issues, including housing affordability, cost of living, homelessness, crime, environmental concerns, reproductive rights, democracy protection, education, innovation, and the workforce, along with concrete solutions for each.
Liccardo began writing the book after Anna Eshoo, the incumbent representative for 32 years, announced her retirement. At that time, having just completed two terms as mayor, he had not yet decided to run for office.
“I believe we had significant successes in San José during my tenure as mayor. The role of mayor allows for tangible achievements,” he explained, contrasting it with the slow pace of progress in Congress. “In the House, there are 454 colleagues, and the work is much slower. You might not see results for months or even years, especially given the current deep divisions in Congress—it’s the least efficient Congress we’ve seen in half a century.”
The motivation for writing the book was to convince himself that “Congress can get results.” While writing, he realized it would not only clarify his stance on crucial issues but also send a vital message: “Voters should be treated like adults.”
“I think politicians have been treating voters immaturely for years, throwing slogans instead of solutions. Voters are tired of it, especially in this district where over two-thirds of adult voters have a college education,” he stated. “We often see candidates glossing over issues without offering real help.”
Liccardo acknowledges the risk of diving into the details of vital issues during a campaign, as this can make him vulnerable to attacks from opponents. However, he believes that educated and discerning voters can distinguish the quality of his policy proposals when they have enough information to make informed judgments.
He expresses hope that his book could change the political dialogue in the country. Witnessing the two parties blame each other for social issues without resolution, he recalls that during his time as mayor, engaging with a wide range of perspectives led to more constructive dialogue when the focus shifted from assigning blame to discussing solutions.
“You might still disagree with the solution, but at least you can disagree in a more constructive way,” Liccardo remarked. “We’ll start from this little corner of Silicon Valley, where many great ideas emerge and spread nationwide, hoping we can inspire others to foster successful dialogue and solutions.”
Liccardo candidly admits that not all ideas in his book originate from him. His understanding of many issues comes from conversations with the public, lawmakers, industry experts, and advocates. The most enjoyable part of his campaign, he noted, is going door-to-door in the community, listening to people’s voices. “You learn so much from those interactions,” he said, emphasizing that in the final days of his campaign, he aims to understand what voters want Congress to address and discuss potential solutions with them. “I’m running for Congress not to be someone; I want to make a difference.”
In this campaign, Liccardo has received substantial support from numerous Asian American officials and community leaders, including San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, Vice Mayor Dr. Yang Shao, Los Gatos-Saratoga Union School District board member Katherine Tseng, former California Assemblyman Kansen Chu, former Saratoga Mayor Emily Lo, Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District board member Cynthia Chang, and former president of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in the San Francisco Bay Area Dr. Joe Chou.