Genny Altwer Seeks San Jose District 9 City Council Seat
Genny Altwer, known for her diverse career as a former hostage negotiator and therapist, is embarking on a new path in public service. She has officially announced her candidacy for the open District 9 City Council seat in San Jose, bringing a unique blend of professional and personal experience to the upcoming election.
A Path from Crisis Negotiation to Community Advocacy
Altwer’s journey into politics is rooted in a lifetime of public service, influenced by her father, a resident agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in San Jose. After earning degrees in administration of justice and criminal justice, she dedicated 13 years to the San Mateo Police Department, serving as a hostage negotiator, field training officer, and sexual assault detective. This intensive experience, particularly in critical incident response, laid the groundwork for her deep understanding of community needs.
Recognizing the profound overlap between law enforcement and mental health, Altwer transitioned her career to become a therapist. In her private practice, she specializes in supporting first responders and essential workers, providing resiliency and wellness training. This shift further honed her skills in communication, empathy, and problem-solving, which she believes are crucial for effective governance.
Addressing District 9’s Pressing Challenges
As a 45-year-old lifelong resident of District 9, Altwer feels a personal connection to the challenges facing her community. She aims to succeed Vice Mayor Pam Foley, who will be terming out of office. Altwer emphasizes that City Hall needs a representative with “lived experiences and skin in the game” on critical issues.
Her motivations for running are clear: the escalating cost of living, the need to strengthen the police department’s staffing, and the humanitarian crisis of homelessness. She asserts that her active engagement as a constituent provides her with “eyes and ears on the ground,” making her uniquely positioned to advocate for change at City Hall.
Genny Altwer’s Key Platform Pillars
Altwer’s platform is built on several core areas, reflecting her background and understanding of San Jose’s needs.
Enhancing Public Safety
While San Jose has recently been ranked a safe large city, Altwer advocates for significant investment in public safety. She believes the San Jose Police Department needs an additional 100 officers. Furthermore, she supports co-response opportunities that pair mental health professionals with law enforcement, acknowledging the critical intersection of mental health and crisis intervention. She also highlighted the need to improve the city’s police academy, which she noted suffers from high dropout rates and sub-optimal pass rates, hindering essential worker recruitment.
Tackling the Homelessness Crisis
Altwer views homelessness as both a humanitarian and moral crisis. She supports diverting Measure E funds to build interim housing, emphasizing the immediate need to get unhoused residents off the streets. However, she also calls for increased accountability and transparency within the system, ensuring that shelter spaces are utilized effectively, residents receive necessary mental health treatment, and nonprofit providers help individuals achieve stability. “If that’s not happening and the numbers aren’t changing in the right direction, then we do need to look at how we’re utilizing those dollars,” she stated.
Promoting Sensible Housing & Business Growth
As a mother of two teenage daughters, Altwer is acutely aware of the affordability crisis and housing shortage in San Jose. She hopes her children will have the opportunity to live in San Jose as adults. Her approach to housing involves strategic development, focusing on building affordable housing in appropriate locations such as downtown areas and along transit corridors, rather than granting developers unrestricted building rights.
Genny Altwer’s Unique Background for City Council
Altwer’s professional journey offers a distinct set of qualifications for a role in local government:
| Area of Expertise | Experience & Skills | Benefit to San Jose City Council |
|---|---|---|
| Public Safety & Crisis Management | Hostage Negotiator, Field Training Officer, Critical Incident Response Team | Direct insight into police operations, de-escalation, and community safety needs. |
| Mental Health & Wellness | Therapist for First Responders, Resiliency/Wellness Training | Understanding of mental health impacts on public safety, homelessness, and community well-being. |
| Community Advocacy | PTA member, Mentor for families with autistic children, Lifelong D9 resident | Strong personal connection to District 9’s challenges, advocating for families and residents. |
The Race for District 9 City Council
Altwer is not alone in seeking the District 9 seat. With the campaign contribution period now open, she is one of five candidates who have filed candidate intention statements. Other contenders include Mauna Jalali, Mike Hennessy, Gordon Chesterfor, and Scott Hughes, who currently serves as Vice Mayor Pam Foley’s chief of staff. District 9 is one of five City Council seats up for election next year, alongside Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7. The primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Genny Altwer?
Genny Altwer is a former San Mateo police hostage negotiator and current therapist who has announced her candidacy for the San Jose District 9 City Council seat. - What district is she running for?
She is running for the San Jose District 9 City Council seat, which covers the southwest portion of the city from Cambrian Park to Highway 87. - What are her main policy priorities?
Her platform centers on public safety (increasing police staffing, co-response with mental health professionals), addressing homelessness (utilizing Measure E funds for interim housing, accountability), and fostering a business- and housing-friendly climate (affordable housing in downtown/transit areas). - When is the primary election for District 9?
The primary election for the District 9 City Council seat is set for June 2, 2026. - How does her background influence her political aspirations?
Altwer believes her experience in law enforcement and mental health, combined with her perspective as a lifelong District 9 resident and parent, provides unique insights into effective policymaking for the community’s pressing issues.
As Genny Altwer steps onto the political stage, her campaign offers San Jose District 9 residents a fresh perspective rooted in decades of serving the community and addressing complex challenges. The upcoming election will be a crucial opportunity for voters to consider how her unique background could shape the future of their city.
Hostage Negotiator Genny Altwer Runs for San Jose Council
