This coming November 5, Redwood City residents will have the final say on who will serve on the City Council. Get to know the candidates running for a seat to represent Districts 1, 3, 4 and 7.
Jeff Gee (District 1)
The current mayor of Redwood City and representative of District 1, seeks to repeat and continue being the voice of this part of the city.
Gee was elected to his first term on the Redwood City Council in 2009; he served as Vice Mayor of Redwood City in 2012 and 2013. In November 2013, Jeff was re-elected to a second term on the City Council and was unanimously selected by his City Council colleagues to serve as Mayor of Redwood City in 2014 and 2015.
He returned to public service in 2020 and was elected to the City Council in District 1 – Redwood Shores. In 2023, he became mayor. In addition to serving as mayor, he serves on several City Council committees, including Climate Change/Sustainability, Governance, Personnel, Transportation/Mobility, and several others.
His regional and other public service includes serving as Vice Chairman and Director of SamTrans, Immediate Past Chairman and Director of the Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), President and Director of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of the San Mateo County API Caucus, President of PAVE – Peninsula Asians for Voter Education, Director and Advocate for non-profit housing, and President of the Board of Directors of The Shore at California Bayside Homeowners Association.
Prior to being elected to the City Council, Jeff served as an appointed member of the Redwood City Planning Commission, which included a term as commission chair; he is also a former appointed member of the Redwood City Architectural Review Committee.
“The need for experience is critical these days. As a three-term councilmember, two-term mayor and proven business leader, I bring fiscal responsibility and practical solutions to meet the needs of Redwood Shores and Redwood City,” Jeff Gee notes in his portal of candidacy.
Lissette Espinoza Garnica (District 3)
She is currently a Councilwoman for District 3 and Vice Mayor of Redwood City, but she also identifies as a caregiver and a Latina belonging to the LGBTQ+ community.
Their fight and support has also been in defense of unions, tenant protection, and racial and climate justice.
"Protecting our community from corporate greed and bad landlords has been my highest priority and I promise to continue my steadfast devotion to our safety and well-being," he said in his statement. web site.
During his tenure, he noted, he introduced hazard pay for grocery store workers, approved the conversion of three motels into emergency shelters and permanent supportive housing, and supported increased protections for renters and mobile homes.
He also recalled that he had approved the removal of the police and the use of civilians to carry out activities to help the homeless and control traffic in non-urgent situations.
He added that he has focused on the electrification of vehicle fleets and buildings, studying strategies to address rising sea levels, promoting active transportation and increasing efforts to reach residents of Environmental Justice communities.
And finally, he introduced a ballot measure to reform the business tax to help cover the city's pandemic-related shortfall, while easing the burden on small businesses and raising rates on large corporations.
Among its proposals are strengthening tenant protections to close loopholes around informal evictions; supporting rent control and creating a rental registry; building and preserving truly affordable housing; supporting the construction and operation of mixed-income social housing; and supporting the creation of community land trusts.
Isabella Chu (District 3)
Public health professional Isabella Chu has called the peninsula home for the past 25 years and is running for Redwood City Council.
“Since moving to Friendly Acres, I have served our community as the President of the Neighborhood Association and a Redwood City Planning Commissioner. In these roles, I have fought to expand housing, parks, and safe streets in our neighborhoods and support small businesses. I am a lover of Redwood City and the wide, tree-lined sidewalks. On the weekends, you can find me at Delucchi's, Sigona's, or walking around Stanford's campus,” she notes in her blog post. web site.
Chu says she is running for council because she loves everything about the neighborhood: its diversity, young families, multigenerational households, retirees and hard-working people from all walks of life.
"I am running for City Council because I want to serve our community and improve the quality of life in our district in all areas, including public safety, infrastructure, a variety of housing, services and neighborhood opportunities for all residents," he said.
She says that sanitation, safe streets and clean water are not inaugurated with a ceremony, but are essential to healthy communities. "I am ready to roll up my sleeves and invest time, energy and expertise to improve our city for all families."
He says his fight will be for public safety, affordable housing, safe streets, community services, and parking and transit.
Elmer Martinez Saballos (District 4)
Born and raised in Redwood City, Elmer Martinez Saballos' top priorities as a Councilmember are shaped by his experiences growing up in the neighborhoods.
He is a first-generation Latino born to Central American immigrants and a product of local Redwood City schools; he attended Roosevelt Elementary, St. Pius School, Sequoia High School, and Cañada College before becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college.
Having lived most of his life in the D4 neighborhoods of Palm Park and Stambaugh-Heller, Elmer knows firsthand the barriers residents face to working, studying, and living in our community.
Driven by his passion for community service, Elmer has chosen to work in public service as a way to bring people together to solve problems affecting their shared community, says his platform web page.
Elmer served the past two years as the District 4 Appointee. During his time on the City Council, he helped raise the local minimum wage, increase diverse representation by lowering the age requirements for our governing boards to just 16, and fight for the PACE Program: a collaboration between students, officials, and nonprofit leaders to help our students from underserved communities connect with city resources, mentors, and job opportunities.
Elmer's priorities, if he wins, are affordable housing, economic vitality, community safety, child and family services, transportation and public works, and sustainability and climate resilience.
Diana Reddy (District 7)
Diana Reddy is a lifelong resident of Redwood City, attending local public schools and still living in the home she grew up in and raised her children. Her parents were teachers and instilled in her a deep love of community and a passion for social justice, along with a loving curiosity and respect for other cultures.
For over 30 years, Diana worked for the Sequoia Union High School District. Additionally, for over 20 years, she fought for funding to create and protect many statewide education, statewide and national children's health programs, including the San Mateo Health Plan and the Housing and Regional Trust Fund (HEART) initiatives.
Her priorities, if elected, include housing for all, fiscal responsibility, economic development, youth and families, seniors, public safety, and smart growth, which seeks to maintain local control and seek community participation and acceptance for any decisions regarding land use.
Reddy is a former City Council member and vice mayor, has over 30 years of experience in local education, is a past co-president of Faith in Action (formerly Peninsula Interfaith Action and San Mateo County Organizing Project), a member of the Kiwanis Club of Redwood City, hosts the Redwood City Farmers Market, belongs to the Redwood City Women’s Club, has raised funds for Kainos Home and Training Center, and serves on the Coastal Cleanup Committee.
Marcella Padilla (District 7)
Born and raised in Redwood City, Marcela Padilla says she is running for City Council District 7 with a commitment to fostering an informed and engaged community.
"My roots in this vibrant city run deep, and as I continue to raise my family here, I am dedicated to ensuring that Redwood City remains a thriving, inclusive and supportive environment for all of its residents," she notes in her statement. campaign website.
He says that with a diverse background spanning both the private and non-profit sectors, he has the experience and insight to address pressing issues affecting the community.
"My career has taught me the value of collaboration, strategic planning and a solutions-oriented approach, qualities that I will bring to the City to make significant progress on behalf of our residents," he said.
Her priorities as District 7 representative, if elected, will be to develop and maintain parks and recreational facilities, strengthen collaboration with public education, and improve transportation and safety.
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