From the article:
“ Kou also said she would address homelessness by building more shelters and giving local governments the power to require that people use that shelter, rather than sleep on the streets.”

Maybe we could call them “Kouvilles.”

Her shtick may play well with the Palo alto elite, but I doubt it will go over well in neighboring cities that are actually making an effort to meet their housing obligations. She feels that Palo alto can continue to ignore their obligations. Plus shall we discuss her conflict of interest as a realtor wanting to keep housing prices high?

@ VictorBishop
Kou is running for assembly from a district that includes not only Mountain View and “elite” Palo Alto, but also Atherton (the richest ZIP code in the country) and the also-wealthy cities/towns of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Woodside, and Portola Valley. I think her message will resonate with many of those folks, too.
Also, any possible conflict of interest that Kou may have as a real estate agent would be determined by the state Fair Political Practices Commission in Sacramento. You can file a complaint, but since Kou has been a councilwoman for several years in Palo Alto, I’d guess her opponents have already exhausted that route.

While it is true that Kou's electoral prospects may benefit from appealing to residents in cities like Atherton, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Woodside, and Portola Valley, it is important to note that Palo Alto's slow growth policies could hinder her campaign. Despite the affluent nature of these areas, the overall population of these cities combined is relatively small compared to Mountain View alone. Therefore, while Kou's message may resonate with the wealthy residents in these cities, the impact of their support may be limited due to the smaller population size.

Additionally, Palo Alto's slow growth policies have the potential to create challenges for Kou's campaign. These policies typically aim to limit development and preserve the character of the city, which can lead to higher housing costs and limited housing availability. As a result, it may be difficult for Kou to gain traction among voters who are adversely affected by these policies, such as younger residents, families, and individuals with lower incomes. This demographic diversity within the district suggests that Kou's message may not resonate with all constituents equally.

Furthermore, Kou's focus on appealing to affluent areas may create a perception among voters that she primarily represents the interests of the wealthy, potentially alienating other constituents. In a district that includes a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, it is important for a candidate to have a message that resonates with a broader audience, addressing the concerns and needs of all residents, not just the affluent few.

In summary, while Kou's message may indeed resonate with some residents in affluent cities like Atherton, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Woodside, and Portola Valley, the impact of their support may be limited due to the smaller population size compared to Mountain View alone. The slow growth policies in Palo Alto could pose challenges for Kou's campaign, potentially alienating voters and limiting her appeal.