Grassroots Change - An Interview With Dennis Kyne, District 3 Candidate for San Jose City Council

We sat down with Dennis Kyne, District 3 Candidate for San Jose City Council. Dennis Kyne is a combat veteran with over 15 years of experience in disaster relief. Although a West Point nominee, Dennis was later sent to operation Desert Storm to aid with logistical efforts. Dennis has been actively involved in San Jose District 3 and is now running for City Council. Dennis offers a unique perspective given his specialization in disaster relief and hands-on support during Hurricane Katrina. He is committed to solving the homelessness crisis and creating opportunities for small businesses and working families in Silicon Valley.

Dennis, thank you for joining us today! Can you tell us a bit about your platform and why you are running for City Council?

My pleasure, and thank you for having me on! Back in 2006, I had an unsuccessful bid preemptively running on the housing and homelessness crisis. Two years later, it was a major issue. Now, 16 years later, it has become an unprecedented issue affecting many Californians, and the problem will only worsen.

That is a major crisis affecting the entire country. What inspired you to run now? 16 years later?

I am a 1995 Cum Laude graduate of SJSU majoring in political science, was a Dean’s Scholar, and member of Phi Sigma Alpha, the political science national honor society. Constituents have constantly been asking me to run since my first bid in 2006. I now have a stronger grasp of the situation through my education and career, with more conceptual and hands-on experience surrounding the crisis.

Well, we certainly need that experience now more than ever, given our current political climate. What are the most significant challenges you foresee moving forward?

Well, for one, I am a non-partisan in a city that is strongly Democrat. In recent years, the Democratic party has split itself into two subsects: labor and business. Classic Democrats and progressives are at a constant battle with one another and never seem to produce any solvency. Climbing over that barrier will be a challenge, but one I am willing to face.

Absolutely, the division within the Democratic party is a serious cause for concern. How do you differentiate yourself from other candidates, and do you feel there are any fundamental differences between generations of constituents?

Great question. On differentiation, well, I am a fourth-generation San Jose resident. I know this city, and I know the people. I have owned multiple businesses in our district and have proven that I can solve a crisis of unhoused residents, which has become so saddening that it really sets the depression in, and I am determined to solve it, even if on a local level. In terms of generational differences, yes. The older generation still wants to walk to the polls, and many are unaware of the much more accessible and seamless voting options. In Santa Clara County, you can vote 29 days out in polling locations or simply mail in your ballot.

Very insightful! Obviously, the homelessness crisis is not just a local one. Any plans to extend policy throughout the US?

My solution will definitely take into account scalability for the entire nation. We can only move one mountain at a time, though yes, I would like to see my policies and solutions reach other parts of the country. Homelessness is a man-made crisis and requires a man-made solution.

That is reassuring to know! What was the most memorable experience in your 15 years of disaster relief experience?

Hurricane Katrina, hands down. My experience there taught me that people who are left with nothing still have hope. It is very sobering yet uplifting.

I can only imagine. Do you anticipate any significant roadblocks from counterparties regarding your platform?

Big money wants to make its way into San Jose; Google wants in. To some degree, you have to appease the big business in this field; it’s inevitable. My goal is to get them to see my solution and support it. They can keep growing. I have been here since it started, and I like the development. However, I don’t like the lack of solutions to the impacts the development has left, and I feel those responsible for these impacts should have some responsibility in financing the solutions.

What has the overall feedback been from constituents regarding your platform?

It always comes down to the fact that everyone wants major change. Not short and sweet promises that are never honored. People know I can be that change, and the feedback and support from constituents have been very motivating.

It’s great to know people have a source of hope and inspiration. Who has been your greatest source of inspiration?

Eddie Gale, San Jose’s Ambassador of Jazz. Appointed by then-Mayor Norman Mineta. Eddie has been a constant source of inspiration both in life and on the campaign. His music and passion for life have inspired many.

He was a true icon. What are your greatest fears moving forward?

Failure is top on the list. I know I can effectively scale the solutions to fix these problems, but I am only human at the end of the day. Misrepresentation is another big one in politics. I can’t control the negative ads, and it’s no secret that people will play dirty to win. Rejection and judgment are real fears, but I have to keep my head up.

I felt that personally! How have the recent economic events affected your priorities in any way?

Yes, COVID has forced many businesses to close. San Jose has the hardest lockdown mandates in the country. More people are coming here, but the shelves are bare as the supply line is shortened. It is becoming predatory; we are still adapting. 83% of the residents do not list English as the primary language at home, which creates significant barriers to reliable information. We have not fully adapted yet, and we have a lot of work to do.

It seems like you have a lot on your plate moving forward. What accomplishments are you most proud of and why?

I have served the community my entire life. But if I had to choose one event in particular, it would be at the Special Olympics when I was a young child at San Jose City College. That experience taught me how much we need each other in society and how we cannot truly live in an individualistic society. Society’s problems are, in a real sense, our problems.

How uplifting! What advice would you give to your past self?

Ignore the doubters. Not everyone is going to support your vision and your solutions. Not everyone will be passionate about certain issues, even though solving those problems will benefit them as well. All we can do as candidates is put our best foot forward and run on the issues we genuinely care about. If the constituents agree with your platform, you will get the votes.

I can’t disagree with that! Dennis, thank you so much for your time today. It was great to speak with you and learn more about your policies. Where can readers learn more?