Assemblyman Evan Low Announces Run For Congress

Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell) announced on Tuesday that he would be officially running for California’s 16th Congressional seat, which is due to be an open race next year following Congresswoman Anna Eshoo’s (D-CA) announcement that her current term in Congress would be her last.

A graduate of both DeAnza College and San Jose State University, Low took the unusual step of entering elected office shortly after graduating. In 2006 at the age of 23, Low was elected to the Campbell City Council. In addition to his elected office, Low also worked as a district representative for then Assemblyman Paul Fong. In 2009, Low was selected by the Council as the Mayor of Campbell, becoming one of the youngest mayors in the country, as well as one of the few openly gay, Asian mayors.

In 2014, Low succeeded Fong and was elected as the Assemblyman for the Southern Bay Area district. A major tech defender in the Assembly, Low has been credited with bringing in legislation to help expand companies such as Uber and Lyft within the state. While Low has been one of the top Assemblymembers in terms of numbers of bills passed per session, he has also had many that have ultimately failed, or in some cases, hurt the state. One recent example is how his 2016 bill that enacted a state-travel ban to states with anti-LGBT laws, AB 1887, was completely removed earlier this year because it completely failed to influence a reversal in out-of-state policies.

“AB 1887 was well-meaning, but it wound up hurting the state so much,”  said Chelsea Gardner-Baum, an LA-based interstate media consultant to the Globe. “The bill wanted to hurt other states economically, but when 26 states in total were added to the ban list, California suddenly was losing out financially to over half the country. It was idiotic. Of course those states were going to double down. You don’t change people’s minds with threats.”

In September, Gardner Baum also said, “And the thing is, the negative LGBT policies those 26 states have actually brought some positives into California. Companies like Disney have pulled out of moves and expansions to states like Texas and Florida over LGBT restrictive laws there and moving jobs back to California. And many Californians who have moved out of the state moved back in part because of the laws. Many just plain hate Texas, but the laws are definitely a factor. California lawmakers didn’t have to do a thing. But, as I’m sure you’re aware, they just can’t help but mess with the program sometimes, so we’re seeing this.”

Despite his failures, Low has been seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party and was identified as a possible future presidential candidate in 2016. In recent years, Low has also been seen as something of an heir apparent to Eshoo in her Congressional District, with many predicting that Low would run for Congress when Eshoo left office.

Low announces Congressional run

Late last month, Eshoo finally gave her retirement announcement, officially making 2024 an open election for the 16rth Congressional District. While many expected Low to enter the race, multiple candidates, including former Saratoga City Councilor Rishi Kumar (D), Santa Clara County Supervisor and former state Senator Joe Simitian (D), and former Menlo Park Mayor Peter Ohtaki (R) all joined the race only days afterwards. However, Low only scrambled when former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo (D) was rumored to be thinking about a possible campaign. With the clock ticking on other potential candidates as well, Low announced his run for Congress on Tuesday.

“I’m doing it! I’m running for Congress in California’s 16th District – Silicon Valley,” messaged Low on X on Tuesday. “Continuing the legacy of Congresswoman Anna Eshoo will require big and fabulous shoes. I am up for that challenge! Together, we will usher in a renewed era of courageous leadership for Silicon Valley.”

I’m doing it! I’m running for Congress in California’s 16th District – Silicon Valley. Continuing the legacy of Congresswoman Anna Eshoo will require big and fabulous shoes. I am up for that challenge! Together, we will usher in a renewed era of courageous leadership for Silicon… pic.twitter.com/QLou94cdqH

— Evan Low (@Evan_Low) December 5, 2023

In a more official announcement, Low added that “We need fighters and the Republican Party has been the party of Trump and I have been a fighter. And given that we have the most homophobic speaker in generations, the best way to combat that is to send more openly LGBT individuals to Congress.”

While many had been expecting Low to run for Congress for years, political experts noted that his rhetoric, as well as Liccardo entering the race, could severely diminish his chances to win the seat.

“Four years ago, if Low was running for Congress in an open district, he would have been a shoo-in,” said Ben Kim, a pollster in Santa Clara County, to the Globe. “He checks a lot of boxes for voters, especially in the district. But in recent years a lot of centrist Democrats have been more wary of him. Even more, like you said, there is also a lot more ammunition to be used against him by other candidates now, especially his bills that became laws then crashed and burned.

“And if Liccardo comes in officially, well, he is going to have to face a former big city Mayor who has a track record of reaching more centrist and middle-of-the-road Democrats. Republicans with a fondness for tech might just vote for him too. Low will definitely have a good showing in the race, but just how well, and if he wins, is not exactly clear. He does have [Congressmembers] Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Judy Chu (D-CA) already endorsing him, but Low needs to go outside his Asian and LGBT bases for this one.

“He may not be the strongest candidate in this race, and that is something his campaign never thought they would be dealing with.”

An official announcement by Liccardo is expected soon.