Councilman Peter Arellano took the next step toward actually
declaring his candidacy for county supervisor by announcing the
formation of an exploratory committee.
Councilman Peter Arellano took the next step toward actually declaring his candidacy for county supervisor by announcing the formation of an exploratory committee.
The committee will act as advisors in Arellano’s campaign and has been meeting with community stakeholders and analyzing the district’s voter base, said Ross Gomez, the committee’s spokesman who issued a press release announcing Arellano’s candidacy. Several photographs of Arellano standing among rows of crops and grape vines accompanied the release. The committee is comprised of various community leaders including school board member Javier Aguirre, labor leader Rebeca Armendariz, former Gilroy city council member Paul Correa and businessman and former school board member Jaime Rosso.
“A lot of folks have been asking if Peter would ever consider running because of his background in public health,” Gomez said. “Our team is moving forward with the clear intention of Peter Arellano being a candidate for supervisor in 2010.”
Arellano did not immediately return phone calls.
The deadline to file for candidacy for the June 8, 2010 primary election is March 12.
“To run for my position as supervisor is going to be a tough challenge,” said Don Gage, who has served 12 years as supervisor of District 1, which runs from south San Jose and Los Gatos down to Morgan Hill and Gilroy. “I hope he’s up for it.”
He estimated Arellano will have to raise $250,000 for the campaign.
Teresa Alvarado, former longtime county supervisor Blanca Alvarado’s daughter, Santa Clara Valley Water District director Rosemary Kamei and former San Jose city councilman and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority director Forrest Williams are also likely candidates.
Arellano is a family practice physician at Kaiser Permanante in Gilroy, and is currently serving on the city council. A lifelong Gilroy resident, Arellano has been married to his college sweetheart, Rochelle, for 34 years and has two daughters.
County supervisors are paid $143,031 annually and can serve up to three four-year terms.
