This series documents the political trajectory of Janet Gray Hayes beginning with her 1971 election to the San Jose City Council and 1973 election to the post of vice mayor of San Jose, followed by her victorious 1974 and 1978 mayoral campaigns. This series provides a record of her tough 1978 mayoral reelection campaign against opponent Al Garza. The race was competitive, exhausting, and at times downright vicious; Garza spent most of the campaign attempting to discredit Hayes and her achievements during her first term as mayor. In the end, Hayes' solidly defeated Garza, winning over 70 percent of the vote.

Included is "A Survey of Voter Attitudes in the City of San Jose," compiled in 1974 by the Diridon Research Corporation for the Janet Gray Hayes for Mayor campaign. This comprehensive publication outlines voter demographics in San Jose, as well as opinions on countless issues such as growth, the environment, law enforcement, business, and gender. This series includes correspondence, endorsements, printed campaign literature, and clippings.