2026 Elections: Eight candidates vie for three Palo Alto City Council seats
By Stephanie Lam, October 5, 2026 at 12:40pm
Excerpts:
"Eight candidates are vying to fill three open seats on the Palo Alto City Council as they weigh fresh approaches to increasing the city’s affordable housing stock, strengthening eco-friendly initiatives and leading a $15 million upgrade to the Cubberley Community Center."
"Since 2017, the city has contributed or pledged nearly $52 million in funding or land value to affordable housing. If reelected, Veenker, 50, said she will continue to work with the council to partner with county, state and nonprofits to raise funds for housing projects. She is also keen on improving the permitting process for accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, which she believes adds a diversity of housing to single family neighborhoods."
"Palo Alto also has ambitious plans to be an eco-friendly powerhouse. The city is targeting a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2030. The city also wants to upgrade its city’s aging electricity infrastructure and preserve natural habitats. Veenker said as chair for the city’s Climate and Sustainability Committee, she’ll continue to leverage Palo Alto’s “innovation culture” to keep the city on track with its climate and sustainability goals. “We are uniquely poised to pilot things, learn things and share them with our neighbors,” Veenker said. "
