A growing field of candidates has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the four-month sprint to the November special election for Santa Clara County assessor.

The official list of candidates to become the county’s chief property taxer — affecting everything from housing development to public school funding — won’t be finalized until the nomination period closes Friday. Yet candidates are already meeting massive warchest benchmarks due to a mix of factors — and breathing a collective sigh of relief after San Jose Councilmember Pam Foley ruled out a run for the office.

Foley said she plans to finish the remainder of her council term despite some supporters encouraging her to step into the race.

“A lot of people encouraged me — and I thought about it,” Foley told San José Spotlight.

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