Short-term San Jose council appointment to replace Omar Torres down to 5 candidates

San Jose officials have narrowed down the list of candidates who might temporarily fill the vacant downtown seat on the City Council from 11 to five.

Councilmembers will interview Bob Staedler, Jahmal Williams, Danielle Marie Christian, Carl Eugene Salas and Baltazar Lopez on Jan. 28 before appointing one of them to fill the District 3 seat. All five candidates will be asked the same questions, and whoever is selected will represent the downtown core until voters pick a permanent replacement in a special election in April. The appointment needs a two-thirds majority.