Irene Smith, a San Jose D3 city council candidate, supports the plan.  "Is a bus ticket a pure exit from homelessness? No, it's not," she said. "But it's an onramp. It's one of the first rungs to housing success that gets you to the next level of housing." She did acknowledge that she doesn't think it works for everyone. "I think we have to be careful about the program," she said. 

Smith sees shift in voters’ mentality since scandal prompted resignation of former councilmember

Smith — a pro tem judge and former longtime IBM employee who lost to Torres in the 2022 general election — has centered her policy platform around bigger, more cost-effective homelessness solutions, fiscal responsibility, pro-business incentives and improving resident input.

Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility: We believe that San Jose would be in a better place now had Irene Smith been elected to represent District 3 and we once again endorse Irene Smith.

Smith came in 2nd previously for the District 3 seat against Torres in 2022. The mental health counselor and pro tem judge for Santa Clara County said downtown needs to reclaim its identity as a distinct city district that demands personalized solutions to address blight, homelessness and overall neighborhood wellness.

Irene Smith comments on the increase of insurance as related to the increase of the cost of housing in D3.

The deadline has passed for candidates to enter the race to replace disgraced former District 3 San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres – and several notable names are on the ballot. Brandon Pho breaks it down.

The interest in replacing disgraced former San Jose District 3 City Councilmember Omar Torres through an interim appointment and special election continues to grow as the filing deadline rapidly approaches this week.

Candidates in the upcoming special election to represent San Jose’s downtown core are sharing early fundraising numbers as the deadline to apply for the race comes to a close.

A crowded field of political newbies and San Jose ballot regulars have expressed interest in replacing disgraced former District 3 City Councilmember Omar Torres through a special election, one week after the nominating period opened.

Irene Smith addresses the San Jose City Council on November 19, 2024 regarding a Special Election.

The San Jose City Council took action Tuesday to fill a seat left vacant by the departure of disgraced District 3 Councilman Omar Torres. However, their action came after heated debate and public comment.

An increasing number of District 3 neighborhood leaders are calling for a special election. The jockeying over how to fill Omar Torres’ soon-to-be vacant San Jose District 3 City Council seat has begun.

San Jose officials are at a crossroads over how to fill the City Council seat left vacant by Omar Torres’ stunning Election Day arrest and resignation — and several potential contenders want to take his place.

As councilman Omar Torres waits in the Santa Clara County Main Jail for a bail hearing next week, plans to find his replacement in San Jose city government are taking shape.