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Following the November 5, 2024 elections, where in addition to choosing the next president of the United States, local officials were elected, including supervisors, the San Mateo County Board was renewed with two new faces who, although they had already worked as public servants, now do so from this trench.
On Jan. 7, San Mateo County supervisors selected David Canepa as chairman and Noelia Corzo as vice chairman for the upcoming year, while welcoming two new members: Jackie Speier, a former member of Congress who previously served on the Board of Supervisors in the 1980s, and Lisa Gauthier, a former East Palo Alto mayor and council member.
The addition of Gauthier and Speier gives the Council a female majority.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is comprised of: District 1, Jackie Speier; District 2, Noelia Corzo (Vice Chair); District 3, Ray Mueller; District 4, Lisa Gauthier; District 5, David Canepa (Chair).
Jackie Speier
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Speier served as a supervisor from 1980 to 1986 before being elected to the California State Assembly and Senate, followed by service in the U.S. Congress from 2008 to 2023. She won election in Supervisorial District 1, which was previously represented by Dave Pine, who left office due to term limits.
“I can’t express how excited I am to be back home. I thank the residents of District 1 for the privilege and opportunity to serve and deliver for all of San Mateo County. After 40 years at all levels of government, I learned that all politics is local. If you want to accomplish something, serve at the local level,” Speier said.
Speier highlighted several priorities, including the high cost of living, combating child poverty and creating more affordable child care and housing, particularly on public land. Speier also drew laughs by pointing to the jacket she was wearing at today's ceremony while holding up a black-and-white photo of herself wearing the same jacket during her inauguration 45 years ago.
“You wonder why I still have it,” she joked before being sworn in later, flanked by her son Jackson Sierra and granddaughter Alina Sierra, by former 16th District Congresswoman Anna Eshoo.
Lisa Gauthier
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Gauthier comes to the board after 12 years on the East Palo Alto City Council, including three terms as mayor. She won election to the District 4 seat vacated by Warren Slocum due to term limits.
Gauthier has said he wants to address the high cost of living and the shortage of child care. From the podium, Gauthier referenced his 4-year-old grandson sitting in the front row, whom he held as his daughter Brittnee Gauthier swore him in. He said he motivates much of his work.
“Your future means everything to me. San Mateo County should be a place where you can grow, survive and thrive. And I know we can do that,” she said.
Second term
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This is Canepa's second term as president, the first being in 2021.
Canepa shared his vision for “a county built on collaboration and common sense” to guide decision-making on, among other priorities, affordable housing, the environment, health, the economy and equity. He also compared the fear and unknowns about the new federal administration to those the county faced with innovation and compassion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“But let me tell you what I do know: I know that San Mateo County will fight tooth and nail for its residents, especially the most vulnerable,” Canepa said. “We will not quietly accept changes and actions that harm our community. We will navigate these potentially turbulent waters ahead to ensure that everyone who lives and works here is treated with decency and respect.”
Canepa, who won re-election in 2024 and represents District 5 on the Board, was sworn into office by California State Comptroller Malia Cohen and was accompanied by his wife and son.
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Noelia Corzo, who represents District 2 and was elected vice president of the Board of Supervisors, also highlighted the need to improve the county and the community by accepting the vice presidency.
“It is our duty to do right by each of our residents. It is our duty to improve and transform our systems so that they serve all of us fairly and equitably through support and accountability,” she said. “Let us continue to foster equity, justice and ethics in our work every day.”
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