Mayor Dennis Kennedy is officially seeking re-election to a
fifth, two-year term.
Mayor Dennis Kennedy is officially seeking re-election to a fifth, two-year term.
Speaking to a gathering of supporters at the Holiday Inn Express, Kennedy said he is proud to run on his record, but that this election is about continuing the success of Morgan Hill as a great place to live and work.
Kennedy said he will address issues such as the city budget, jobs, the development of Coyote Valley and supporting the school district in the coming weeks.
“I am looking forward to a spirited debate on the future of Morgan Hill,” he said.
Councilman Greg Sellers announced just after the March 2 election that he would challenge Kennedy in the Nov. 2 election.
Councilman Steve Tate, who is not up for re-election in November and has announced that he is definitely not running for mayor, said he has been happy with Kennedy’s performance but thinks it is time to move on.
“Dennis has been a very, very good mayor for a very large number of years,” Tate said Monday, “and I respect what he’s done for the community. We would not be underserved if he were to be re-elected but I think it’s time for a change.”
Councilman Larry Carr said he is waiting to decide whom to back for mayor until the candidates make their positions clear.
“I’m waiting for both of them to tell me why they want to run for mayor,” Carr said Monday. “I want to see where they want to take Morgan Hill, how they will lead the City Council. I’ll base my vote on those things.”
Carr has said he will probably run for a second term in November but has not officially announced.
“If today were the first day to file papers,” Carr said. “I’d probably be there filing.”
Councilwoman Hedy Chang, whose four-year term is also up, is not saying at this point what her plans are.
Chang has said she wants to stay out of the mayoral fray and prefers not to comment. No other potential candidates have come forward.
Kennedy was born in Omaha, Neb., moved to California during his high school years and attended Bellarmine Prep high school in San Jose. He has lived in Santa Clara County most of his life and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Santa Clara University. Kennedy served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, fulfilling his commitment as a reserve officer in active duty for two years. His wife, Eileen, is a registered surgical nurse; his son Matthew lives in Southern California.
Kennedy is a registered professional mechanical engineer and retired from IBM after 25 years. He retired from Parson’s Corp. after eight years as a project manager focusing on high technology facilities in Silicon Valley. His hobbies include water and snow skiing, golf, volleyball and other outdoor sports.
Kennedy moved to Morgan Hill in 1976 and entered local politics in 1977. He served three terms on the Planning Commission, two terms on the General Plan Update Committee, and ran for, and was elected to, the City Council in 1990.
He is a past chairman of South County Regional Wastewater Authority, has served two two-year terms on the Board of Directors of the Valley Transportation Authority, and is a past president of the Santa Clara Cities Association. He has served four terms as mayor, being appointed to his first term in 1992. In 1996 he became the first directly elected mayor, and was re-elected in 1998, 2000 and 2002.
Dates to file as a candidate with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters are July 12-Aug. 6. www.sccvote.org or 299-8683.
