Outside spending has long influenced Santa Clara elections, local activist says

A local activist who helped found the grassroots group Santa Clara Plays Fair in 2007 spoke about the impact of outside spending in Santa Clara elections, according to San José Spotlight.

The group organized against a public subsidy for a 49ers stadium, which culminated in Measure J in 2010. During that campaign, the 49ers spent over $4 million, vastly outspending the grassroots group's approximately $25,000.

Despite being outspent roughly 160 to 1, the grassroots group continued its efforts but ultimately lost the campaign, illustrating the significant influence of outside money in local politics.

The activist emphasized that outside spending is not a new phenomenon in Santa Clara and suggested that voters should focus on judging candidates rather than the noise created by spending disparities.