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The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors swore in District 1 Supervisor Jackie Speier and District 4 Supervisor Lisa Gauthier during its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The board voted unanimously to appoint District 5 Supervisor David Canepa as county president and District 2 Supervisor Noelia Corzo as vice president for 2025.
Speier, who first joined the Board of Supervisors in 1980, has returned to the dias after serving as a state legislator and member of Congress for over three decades. Her son and granddaughter stood by her side as she recited the oath to office, wearing the same blazer she wore when she was sworn in over two decades ago.
She thanked her predecessor, Supervisor Dave Pine for the policy initiatives he championed and his demonstration of integrity and intellect.
Returning to San Mateo County, Speier said her priorities are to address the high cost of living, high vacancy rate in county employment, high cost of childcare and housing.
“After 40 years of serving on all levels of government, I came to the realization that politics is really local,” said Speier, who lives in Hillsborough. “If you want to get something done, serve locally. It’s a privilege now to have the opportunity to do that again.”
Supervisor Gauthier, who was sworn in by her daughter and grandson, shared the same sentiments as Speier. “We should be able to make sure that people can work where they live and I hope to be able to work with you on those efforts to make sure that we change that,” she said.
Gauthier hopes to turn San Mateo County into a place where her grandson can ”grow up, survive and thrive,” with a goal to improve child care in the county. She thanked her friends, colleagues, former Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson and former Congresswoman Anna Eshoo for their support in her campaign.
With 12 years of experience on the East Palo Alto City Council and three terms as mayor, Corzo recognized Gauthier’s strong reputation and leadership in the East Palo Alto community which she said will serve as a huge asset to the county and board.
During public comment, Ravenswood City School District Trustee Jenny Bloom expressed her excitement to have Gauthier join the board, with her experience working on environmental issues, homelessness, job creation and early childhood education.
“You have elevated one of our leaders into a space where she can continue to make an impact across the county,” Bloom said.
New rotation policy
In December 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a new policy introduced by District 3 Supervisor Ray Mueller to shift from a seniority-based rotation system to a district rotation policy. The board voted unanimously to appoint Canepa as county president and Corzo as vice presidents, following the implemented rotation list.
“This year, 2025, is a special milestone for San Mateo County. We are not just celebrating another year. We are celebrating a legacy of service,” said Canepa. “This year marks the 169th year of our county, a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and to dream about where we’re headed.”
Canepa, who was last president in 2021, shared his vision for the new year with goals to lead efforts in affordable housing, commitment to combating climate change, protecting coastlines, supporting early childhood education and investing in public health care for every resident in the county.
In the midst of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office controversy, and the board’s lack of confidence in Sheriff Christina Corpus, Canepa called for the need to enhance trust between law enforcement and residents while prioritizing public safety initiatives.
He said it’s important to recognize the “critical role of entrepreneurship and small businesses and driving our local economy by providing resources, reducing barriers and fostering innovation.” Canepa also envisions a county that embraces the contributions of the biotech and tech industries, including artificial intelligence.
“Every decision we make as a county should be guided by the principle that every resident deserves a fair opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background, income or ZIP code,” he added. “Equity is not just a goal. It’s a foundation of justice and progress.”
Canepa recognized that the county has been reported as one of the healthiest counties in the state by US News and World Report, but the county falls short in housing affordability and there are neighborhood disparities in higher education.
In the near future, Canepa said he will be proposing a healthy community subcommittee and task force to bring the community together to address the county’s equity goals.
“Let’s bridge these gaps and make this a government that works for all of us. Let’s be number one,” Canepa said.
