“There’s only one Jotham Stein, I know, is that you, Jotham,” Bryan asked just before the skies opened up on the Palo Alto Farmers Market earlier today. “That’s me, Independent For Congress,” I replied to a fellow attorney I’ve known for more than 20 years, but hadn’t seen in a few. Then the rains came. Dressed in quality rain gear, Bryan didn’t seem to mind the downpour. One of the most interesting things about the Campaign trail is you never know who you’re going to meet, or where, or what they’ll have to say. I probably would have run for cover, but for my chance to catch up with Bryan and hopefully convince him to vote for me. Just as Bryan left, the rains stopped. The skies cleared for a while, but drizzle and rain fell intermittently for the rest of the market. It turned out that there were many market goers today, all doing their best to shop during times of clear skies, so I wound up speaking with quite a few voters today. And on a host of topics. For example, I discussed my support for women’s rights with one, ending gerrymandering with another, the Constitution with a third, my plan to fix Social Secuirty with a fourth, why I’m running as an Independent with a fifth and how great it would be for our District and the country if lots of Independents get elected with a sixth. I’ve been out meeting voters at Farmers Markets from the Pacifica Farmers Market in the far north of our Congressional District to the Willow Glenn, San Jose, Farmers Market in the far south of the District. I’ve also knocked on doors to meet voters in their neighborhoods from Pacifica to San Jose. If you see me out campaigning, please say hello. Jotham

Silicon Valley and Half Moon Bay, CA. 8 April 2026 – Today, the League of Women Voters of Santa Clara County cancelled its Candidate Forum for California’s 16th Congressional District Primary because incumbent Democrat Sam Liccardo refused to debate. In an early morning email to Independent Congressional Candidate Jotham Stein, LWV Voter Service Director Eleanor Yick wrote: “I am really disappointed but need to inform you that the LWV will not be hosting a primary Candidate Forum for Congressional District 16. Unfortunately, only two of the candidates (you being one) responded that they were available for a forum. The LWV decided not to host a
forum where the incumbent was not participating and one other candidate did not even respond.”

Independent Jotham Stein urged the LWV to reconsider. He wrote Ms. Yick this morning: “In light of the fact that two of the candidates are willing to participate, would it not be in the LWV’s, the voters’ and our Community’s best interest that we move forward with the Candidate Forum? As I know is integral to the LWV’s mission, voter education and protecting our democracy are also critical to my Congressional Campaign. The idea that an incumbent can control/influence the information that reaches potential voters seems contrary to LWV’s guiding principles. I am willing to attend the Candidate Forum as originally scheduled.”

Stein explained that, like so many of us, he is worried about America’s direction and Liccardo’s refusal to debate followed by the cancellation of the Candidate Forum just underscores his concern. Stein said, “If you think things are going well in America and you are happy with a democracy where incumbents refuse to debate, then vote for Liccardo. If instead, you care about our democracy, then vote for me, Jotham Stein, the Independent Candidate who wants to end gerrymandering nationwide, enact term limits for Congress, reign in special interest groups and pass campaign finance reform to get the big money out of politics.” Stein continued, “I will debate
Liccardo and the other candidates anytime and anywhere.”

Stein urged, “Let’s work together to change America’s trajectory. But let’s also recognize that we
are part of the problem. Repeatedly, we vote for the same two billionaire-financed parties and their
I’ll-do-anything-to-get-elected-including-refusing-to-attend-debates candidates. On June 2, I’m
offering you an opportunity to change that!”

___________

The Stein For Congress website is https://VoteStein.com.
For more information, contact Gabi Silverman at gabi@votestein.com or 650-204-1199.

Coastsiders from Moss Beach, El Granada and Half Moon Bay joined Jotham at Oceanview Park on this beautfiul afternoon for a meet and greet hosted by Philip Chapnick. After everyone settled in, Philip warmly introduced Jotham as a man of integrity who cares about people, the kind of person Philip would like to see representing all of us in Washington. Jotham spoke for about 20 minutes. He introduced himself to the crowd and explained why he’s running for Congress. He discussed the divide that is hurting our country and his committement to work with everyone to look out for all of us. Jotham outlined his plans to fix America, including strengthening our democracy (e.g., ending gerrymandering, term limits for Congress, campaign finance reform) and addressing our everyday concerns (e.g., his three-part plan to fix Social Security for more than 75 years, while providing a minimum to reduce poverty among our seniors). Jotham left plenty of time for questions and you asked many. Jotham loved answering your questions no matter how difficult and is grateful to everyone who came to learn about his Independent Campaign For Congress.

“Reflexive” Democratic voters, red-hatted Republicans, a campaign worker for a past Congressional candidate and retired journalists were among those who stopped to chat with Jotham today at the California Avenue Palo Alto Farmers Market. If you see Jotham on the Campaign trail, please take a few minutes to introduce yourself, let him know how you think things are going in our country, and ask him any questions you have.

Today, Jotham walked door-to-door in beautiful Pacifica, the northern most city in the 16th Congressional District. Multiple voters told Jotham they are very upset with what’s going on in the country. They thanked Jotham for running as an Independent, for trying to bridge the partisan divide in our country and for doing his best to fix America. One voter sat on her porch lamenting how Democrats are always saying bad things about Republicans and Republicans are always saying bad things about Democrats and nothing gets done while they fight.

It’s been a busy four days. Jotham walked door-to-door in Mountain View this past Thursday and then in Menlo Park on Friday, to learn about your concerns and to discuss his hopes and plans to begin fixing our Congressional District and our country. You told Jotham you are worried about inflation and the high cost of living, Social Security running out of money, healthcare costs and the parties seemingly inability to get positive things done for all of us. Yesterday, Jotham met voters at the Saratoga Farmer’s Market until1:00 pm, and afterwards walked door-to-door in Saratoga. Earlier today, Jotham spoke with voters at the Campbell Farmers Market in downtown Campbell.