Politics & Government

Mayor Yeh Won't Seek Reelection

Yeh joins Sid Espinosa in vacating the dais at City Hall.

Palo Alto Mayor Yiaway Yeh announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection to City Council this fall, creating another vacancy on the dais following Sid Espinosa’s similar announcement last week.

Yeh cited his experience on the council as an “absolute privilege” in a letter posted on his Facebook page and sent to supporters.

“What an adventure and honor to serve as a City Councilmember and Mayor in my hometown!” saidYeh in the letter. Yeh said he will continue to focus on important issues during the duration of his term as mayor in the coming months, including prioritizing infrastructure projects and finding good sources to fund them; tackling long term financial liabilities for the City, deepening the City’s connection to local innovators and building on Palo Alto’s tradition of being a home to great companies, growing “Friends Of” groups to maintain a high quality of life here, achieving carbon-neutrality, fostering intergenerational and intercultural exchange, and focusing on supporting and empowering Palo Alto’s youth community.

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“My middle school and high school teachers and key nonprofits in Palo Alto all helped to instill an understanding that we are all fortunate here in Palo Alto and that public service is a responsibility,” said Yeh. “My family believed in Palo Alto by moving here and then encouraged and supported this wonderful way to engage with my community.”


“Looking forward, I wish the community ongoing passionate engagement with its civic matters. It has and will continue to make Palo Alto a wonderful community.”

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