Longtime Car Shop Owner and TV Host Enters Race for Open District 9 Council Seat in San Jose

Mike Hennessy, a lifelong San Jose resident who has worked as a business owner, classic car collector, television host and community organizer, is running for the District 9 City Council seat. The 70-year-old says his varied career has prepared him for the job. "I know I can add some common sense," he told San José Spotlight, adding that the approach has served him well in running his business.

Hennessy is one of four people who have filed paperwork to run for the seat. Vice Mayor Pam Foley is terming out at the end of this year, which makes District 9 the only open council race in a busy election cycle. His opponents are longtime city employee Gordon Chester, licensed marriage and family therapist Genny Altwer, and Scott Hughes, who serves as Foley's chief of staff.

Echoing Mayor Matt Mahan's frequently repeated "back to basics" slogan, Hennessy says he wants to "refocus City Hall on the basics." His platform centers on improving public safety, expanding shelter for homeless people and boosting local business. He has also pledged to oppose any new taxes "until City Hall proves it can manage the money it already has."

Although he presents himself as a pragmatic dealmaker, Hennessy says he will push for major changes where he thinks the city is falling short, including its efforts to move homeless people off the street. "I'm a fighter. I'm not afraid to say what I need to say," he said, adding that he does not believe the council needs "a meek, mild person" at this point.

Hennessy and his wife, Susan, have owned their home in the De Voss Leigh neighborhood for 25 years. Over 45 years he has run a series of businesses, among them Mike Hennessy Automotive in Santa Clara, a longstanding shop that specializes in restoring antique and classic collector cars.

His interest in cars has carried into community work. In 2012 he founded the Hot San Jose Nights event, a popular automotive exhibition that has raised money for charitable causes, including support for veterans. The event has since been relaunched as Autorama. For the past 14 years he has also hosted the "Car Guy Channel" television show, carried by local media outlets including KQED and CreaTV in San Jose.

His stance on taxes could put him at odds with many prospective council colleagues, who have been searching for new revenue as the city faces a projected $65 million budget deficit for the coming fiscal year. "There are going to be a lot of tough decisions to make," Hennessy said. "It's called priorities." He said public safety would remain a spending priority regardless of fiscal pressure, and he has pledged to fully staff the San Jose Police Department, which has struggled with recruitment for years.

Hennessy, who has served on the board of San Jose's Veterans Day Parade for 15 years, also said supporting veterans and older adults would be a major focus of his work.

With the June 2 primary less than four months away, fundraising is picking up. According to the most recently available campaign filings, Altwer leads with $71,719, followed by Hughes with $41,539, Hennessy with $23,675 and Chester with $2,835.

Hennessy has secured an endorsement from state Sen. Dave Cortese, who said he has worked with the candidate on several civic projects. "At his heart, he's a neighborhood guy, born and raised in San Jose, who cares deeply about the community, especially in District 9," Cortese told San José Spotlight.