Palo Alto’s political landscape just got a massive facelift. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the "Palo Alto Process" usually means things move at the speed of a glacier, but the latest Palo Alto election results suggest a community that’s finally ready to stop over-analyzing and start acting. It wasn't just a quiet night at the Registrar of Voters. It was a statement.
Locals spent months arguing over yard signs and debate transcripts. Now that the dust has settled, the numbers tell a story of a city trying to find its footing between "Old Palo Alto" preservation and "Silicon Valley" progress. Honestly, it was a bit of a nail-biter for several seats.
The City Council Shake-up: Who’s In and Who’s Out
Four seats were up for grabs on the City Council. That’s a majority of the seven-member body. Basically, the entire direction of the city was on the ballot. When the final tallies from Santa Clara County came through, the winners were Greer Stone, George Lu, Pat Burt, and Keith Reckdahl.
Greer Stone, an incumbent who has made a name for himself by balancing tenant rights with neighborhood character, came out on top. He secured about 16% of the total vote. It’s clear his message resonated with a wide swath of the city.
Then there’s George Lu. He’s a newcomer but hardly a stranger to city hall, having served on the Planning and Transportation Commission. Lu’s second-place finish (around 14%) is a huge signal. He represents a younger, more "pro-housing" energy that Palo Alto hasn’t always embraced.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Pat Burt, the veteran of the group, managed to hold onto his seat with roughly 14%. He’s the steady hand, the guy who knows the municipal code better than most people know their own phone numbers. Keith Reckdahl narrowly beat out Doria Summa for the final spot, finishing with about 12% of the vote.
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Summa and Katie Causey were right there in the mix, and for a few days during the count, it looked like the order might flip. It didn't. Cari Templeton and Anne Cribbs also put up respectable numbers, but in a field this crowded, the "Residentialist" vote seemed to split just enough to let the more moderate and pro-housing candidates slip through.
The School Board: A New Chapter for PAUSD
If you think the City Council race was intense, you should have seen the school board drama. The Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) had three seats open. The winners? Rowena Chiu, Alison Kamhi, and Josh Salcman.
Chiu led the pack with over 23% of the vote. Her background as a survivor of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and her subsequent advocacy work brought a very different perspective to the race. She campaigned heavily on transparency and student mental health.
- Rowena Chiu: 15,162 votes (23.2%)
- Alison Kamhi: 14,049 votes (21.5%)
- Josh Salcman: 13,425 votes (20.5%)
Nicole Chiu-Wang, who ran a very visible campaign, fell just short with 18.4%. Chris Colohan, a Google engineer, rounded out the field with 14.1%.
What does this mean for your kids? Well, this new board is likely to be much more scrutinizing of the administration. They were sworn in during the December 17, 2024 meeting, and the vibe in the room was definitely one of "time to get to work." Expect more focus on the achievement gap and how the district handles special education—two issues that have been simmering for years.
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Measures and Propositions: The Money Talk
Palo Alto voters also had to weigh in on Measure P. This was the local business tax update aimed at funding rail safety and homeless services. It passed with a solid majority, roughly 64.7% "Yes" to 35.3% "No."
It’s a big win for those worried about the Caltrain grade separations. Without this money, the city was looking at a massive budget hole for infrastructure.
On the state level, Proposition 5 was a big one for local officials. It would have lowered the threshold for local housing and infrastructure bonds from a two-thirds supermajority to 55%. Despite a lot of local support in Palo Alto, the measure failed statewide. This means the City Council will still have to clear that high two-thirds bar if they want to pass any major bonds in the future.
Why These Palo Alto Election Results Matter Right Now
The city is currently under a lot of pressure from the state to build more housing. Like, a lot more. The "Housing Element" has been the bogeyman of local politics for three years.
With George Lu and Keith Reckdahl joining the council, the balance of power has shifted slightly toward the "pro-builder" side, or at least the "let’s comply with the state so we don't get sued" side. They aren't going to turn Palo Alto into Manhattan overnight, but you might see more four-story apartments popping up near the Caltrain stations.
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Lydia Kou, a former mayor and a staunch "Residentialist," actually ran for State Assembly (District 23) against Marc Berman. She lost that race—Berman took about 65% of the vote—but her absence from the local council race changed the math for everyone else.
What’s Next for You?
The new leadership is already seated, and their first big task is the budget. Palo Alto is wealthy, sure, but the "retail apocalypse" and the shift to remote work have put a dent in tax revenues.
If you want to stay involved, the best thing you can do is show up to the City Council meetings on Monday nights. Or, at the very least, watch the livestreams. The decisions they make in the next six months about "The North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan" and the rail crossings will shape the city for the next thirty years.
Actionable Steps to Take:
- Sign up for the City's "Uplift" newsletter: It’s the easiest way to see what’s on the agenda before it happens.
- Follow the PAUSD Board meetings: If you have kids in the district, these bi-weekly meetings are where the real decisions on curriculum and safety are made.
- Check your voter registration: If you moved recently, even within the city, you need to update your info with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters to ensure you're ready for the 2026 cycle.
- Submit a public comment: You don't have to be an expert. If you have an opinion on a new bike lane or a housing project, the council is legally required to listen to your 3-minute spiel.
The Palo Alto election results aren't just a list of names; they are the blueprint for where your property taxes are going and how your neighborhood will look by 2030. It’s a lot to take in, but staying informed is the only way to make sure the "Palo Alto Process" actually works for you.