2026-2027 Peninsula Division Board Election
As Mayor of one of the 36 cities that make-up the Peninsula Division of the League of California Cities, you are being sent the enclosed ballot for you to select candidates to the Peninsula Division Executive Committee.
We received many excellent candidates for the Division Board, but the following candidates have been recommended by the Nominating Committee based on experience and to maintain equitable geographic rotation and representation on the Board. Your city's vote should be submitted by September 14, 2026. The enclosed electronic ballot takes approximately 4 minutes to complete.
Each mayor should vote and submit their vote only once. In the event that the mayor is not able to submit a vote, every member city may designate a delegate to vote upon approval of the mayor and/or via city council agendized approval and action. If a delegate is appointed, please have the appointed delegate email Montana Cruz ([email protected]) and CC your city's Mayor, with the statement, "I attest that I have been given proxy authority to vote on behalf of the mayor of my city as approved by my mayor and city council" prior to voting.
As is the custom each year, we welcome each Peninsula Division member city to join us in the swearing-in ceremony at our Annual Peninsula Division Luncheon in Anaheim on September 24, 2026. Details about this lunch event meeting will be distributed separately.
Thank you for your engagement with the Peninsula Division of the Cal Cities and submit your ballot by September 14, 2026.
Sincerely,
Montana Cruz
Regional Public Affairs Manager
Peninsula Division
League of California Cities
When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.
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1 Your First and Last Name *
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2 Title (e.g. Mayor, Vice Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem)
*
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3 Your City*
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4 Your Email Address *
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5 Please confirm (click YES or NO below) that you are the designated person to cast this vote on behalf of your city. Your city is allocated one vote on the slate of candidates to serve on the Executive Committee. In most cases this is the responsibility of the MAYOR. *
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6 CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
Juslyn Manalo, Council Member, Daly City
* Juslyn Manalo has been recommended by the Nominating Committee and is unopposed for this position.
Statement of Intent to Serve: I am humbly requesting to continue on and serving as President of the Peninsula Division as I have experience as a Councilmember for 9 years, current board member and past Chair for the API Caucus of Cal Cities, and have the passion to work collaboratively on regional issues. I believe the issues we face as cities are also issues that others face in their own jurisdictions. Sharing best practices and also learning from others is crucial in solving many of our needs in the communities we all serve.
Throughout my years in local government, I have seen firsthand that the most significant challenges facing our communities do not stop at city borders.
Transportation, housing affordability, economic development, public safety, climate resilience, infrastructure, and the needs of working families are regional issues that require regional solutions.
At a time when so many of the issues before us cross geographic and governmental boundaries, regional leadership is more important than ever. I would be honored to serve on the Peninsula Division and work alongside my colleagues to advocate for our cities, strengthen our region, and ensure that the Peninsula region continues to be a place where all of our communities can thrive.
I believe I will continue to provide great insight and will be a team player with the executive board bringing forth collaborative initiatives and programs.
Bio: Juslyn Manalo was raised in the multi-ethnic city of Daly City in San Mateo County. Breaking barriers, in 2016, Juslyn was elected as the first Asian American/Filipino woman to Daly City Council and served three times as Mayor.
Early in her career, she became a Community Service Worker providing direct service to the Filipino World War II Veterans. Here, she fought for the Veterans to receive equal benefits through advocacy and coalition building. She also spearheaded and managed the Bill Sorro Housing Program (BiSHoP), a program that helped low to moderate income families, find, defend, and sustain their housing. In the private sector, Manalo continued her mission as a Community Engagement Manager for one of the top global mixed-use real estate developers building partnerships to create community development opportunities such as affordable housing, workforce training, union jobs, open space, cultural district resources, and youth development.
Manalo is currently the Senior Community Engagement Specialist within the Impact, Policy, and Communication Division with the City and County of San Francisco's Office of Economic Workforce Development. She also serves as a board member of the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency and City/County Association of Government for San Mateo County. Manalo's dedication to public service and advocacy for policy reform are evident. She holds a Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Management and a Bachelor's degree in Asian American Studies with a Minor in Women's Studies from San Francisco State University. *
• Yes
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7 CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT
Vicki Veenker, Mayor, Palo Alto
* Vicki Veenker has been recommended by the Nominating Committee and is unopposed for this position.
Statement of Intent to Serve: It has been a privilege to serve for the past three years on the Executive Committee of the Peninsula Division of the League of California Cities as Co-Chair of the Legislative Action Committee and Treasurer.
If re-elected to the Executive Committee, I intend to serve the cities of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties by promoting the Division's policy, education, and advocacy goals. I look forward to working with elected officials from neighboring cities to ensure that our cities have the voice they deserve on issues of importance to the peninsula. 2027 will be an important year for cities as we respond to the evolving policies of the federal government, the budget challenges of the state, the ongoing housing crisis, and more. For example, we have already seen unprecedented federal immigration practices create challenges for city leaders who are on the front lines of protecting the health and safety of our residents. I am eager to build on the successful events and advocacy of the last three years to inform and amplify the voices of peninsula mayors and council members. The successful Legislative Address events in January with state lawmakers, the advocacy meetings at the City Summit in Sacramento, and the climate summits in August are examples. Cities are vital to the strength of our region, state, and nation, and our impact comes from uniting to equitably serve our communities. I would welcome the chance to continue this work with the Peninsula Division Executive Board as Vice President.
Bio: Vicki Veenker is the Mayor of Palo Alto, where she has chaired or served on the Climate Action, Finance, and Policy & Services Committee, and is Palo Alto's Commissioner on the Board of the Northern California Power Agency. Mayor Veenker also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, where she Chairs the Policy, Grants, and Technology Committee. She also serves as a County Commissioner on the Santa Clara County Recycling & Waste Reduction Commission. Ms. Veenker believes in the power of cities, which led her to found Sibling Cities USA, a non-profit that builds relationships between US city pairs to bridge our regional divides. Ms.
Veenker is one of 19 mediators appointed nationally by the US International Trade Commission to serve on its mediation roster; she also serves on the federal court's neutral evaluation and mediation panels. Ms. Veenker is a patent attorney who was a partner at New York-based Fish & Neave, before founding the Silicon Valley Intellectual Property Group at international law firm Shearman & Sterling. She co-founded Women's Professional Soccer, serving as its first General Counsel. Ms. Veenker holds a JD from Georgetown University Law Center and a BS in Biochemistry and a BA in Political Science from Indiana University.
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8 CANDIDATE FOR TREASURER
Pranita Venkatesh, Mayor, San Carlos
* Pranita Venkatesh has been recommended by the Nominating Committee and is unopposed for this position.
Statement of Intent to Serve: I have a genuine enthusiasm to continue serving on the Cal Cities Peninsula Division Executive Board. As someone who deeply cares about our community, I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute my experience and passion for public service. In my role as Mayor and a Councilmember in San Carlos, I've had the privilege of getting to know our community on a personal level. I've seen firsthand how our diverse experiences can shape better solutions when we come together. I truly believe that our greatest achievements stem from collaboration and open dialogue, especially in a region as dynamic as San Mateo County.
What excites me most about the chance to continue on the Cal Cities Peninsula Division Executive Board is the opportunity to connect with fellow leaders and our communities. I want to help create a space where we can collaborate and tackle issues like housing, transportation, and environmental sustainability together. My vision is to foster an atmosphere where cities feel empowered to share their successes, challenges, and, most importantly, learn from each other. I'm all about open communication and building strong relationships. I believe we can do amazing things together when we support and uplift one another. My hope is that, as treasurer, I can help create a network that encourages sharing best practices and learning from one another's experiences.
Thank you so much for considering my candidacy. Let's continue to work together to ensure a bright future for all our cities!
Bio: Pranita Venkatesh was elected to the City Council in 2022 after having served on the San Carlos Economic Development Advisory Commission for three years.
Pranita is a CADEM and served on the San Mateo County Democratic Party, District 3. Pranita was also a Vice Chair of the San Mateo Council of Cities, which has also enriched an understanding of the challenges cities face, and the importance of sharing resources and ideas to overcome them. Pranita also has experience working with the San Mateo Asian American Pacific Islander (SMAAPI) committee and the CMEQ committee.
Since she and her husband moved to San Carlos in 2009 to raise their two children, she has been an early childhood advocate and owns a Montessori preschool is San Carlos.
Mrs. Venkatesh graduated with a B.A. from Notre Dame de Namur and earned her Master's Degree in Early Childhood and Clinical Psychology. Prior to moving to San Carlos, Mrs. Venkatesh was a child psychologist in East Palo Alto and a buyer at Macy's.
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9 CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY
Yvonne Martinez Beltran, Council Member, Morgan Hill
* Yvonne Martinez Beltran has been recommended by the Nominating Committee and is unopposed for this position.
Statement of Intent to Serve: I have been very active in our area, serving on regional boards such as SVCE, ABAG and as VTA PAC Board Chair and am familiar with the regional issues our cities face. As a seasoned Council Member and a Committee Chair, I have a great understanding of local government, Cal Cities, small and large cities and have built relationships with leadership and legislators, positioning me to effectively contribute to and serve on the Peninsula Division Executive Board.
Bio: Morgan Hill Councilwoman Yvonne Martínez Beltrán is committed to public service, community building and a dedicated advocate for her community. She earned her Masters in Urban Planning from the NYU School of Public Service specializing in Housing and Economic Development. She holds a Broker's License, has experience in property management and commercial real estate and co-founded Le.Catrina.com, a Latina Chic boutique. Martinez Beltran's policy leads with inclusion, equity and engaging community.
The Councilwoman serves on the Cal Cities Latino Caucus Executive Board, the Peninsula Division Executive Board, and currently chairs the Cal Cities Housing, Policy Committee. She is a Board Member for Silicon Valley Clean Energy and Sabor De Valle. She serves as the SCC Cities Association ABAG Representative and on the City/Schools Liaison Committee. *
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10 CANDIDATE FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE Cathy Jordan, Vice Mayor, Belmont
* Cathy Jordan has been recommended by the Nominating Committee and is unopposed for this position.
Statement of Intent to Serve: As a Belmont City Council Member, I have greatly valued my involvement with Cal Cities, including participating in the New Council Members program and City Leaders Summit. While the programs and policy discussions have been informative, I have especially appreciated the opportunity to learn from colleagues, build relationships with elected officials throughout the region, and engage with our state leaders. These experiences have reinforced for me the value of Cal Cities as both a resource and a forum for collaboration. I am interested in serving on the Executive Board because I believe regional collaboration is essential to addressing the opportunities and challenges our cities share. Issues such as housing, transportation, public safety, economic vitality, and sustainability extend beyond city boundaries and benefit from strong partnerships, thoughtful dialogue, and coordinated advocacy at the regional and state levels. Throughout my public service, I have approached governance with a collaborative mindset, thoughtful analysis, and a commitment to building consensus. I value listening to diverse perspectives and working toward practical solutions that serve both our individual communities and the Peninsula as a whole. I would be honored to serve on the Executive Board and contribute my experience, perspective, and commitment to strengthening the Peninsula Division. I also welcome the opportunity to deepen the relationships among our cities, learn from my colleagues, and help advance Cal Cities' work on behalf of the communities we collectively serve. Thank you for your consideration.
Bio: I have proudly called Belmont home for more than 25 years, where | raised my two daughters and developed a lifelong commitment to community service.
That commitment led me from volunteering locally to serving in elected office, where | continue to work collaboratively to strengthen Belmont and our region. My public service includes eight years on the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District Board of Trustees, where I was twice elected Board President, three years on the Mid-Peninsula Water District Board of Directors, including one year as Vice President, and my current service on the Belmont City Council, where I am honored to serve as Vice Mayor. I am the only person in Belmont's history to have served on all three governing bodies. On the Council, I serve as Chair of the Public Safety Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee, Housing Ad Hoc Subcommittee, and the 2x2 Committee with the Mid-Peninsula Water District. Regionally, I represent Belmont on the SFO Roundtable and was recently appointed to the C/CAG Resource Management and Climate Protection (RMCP) Committee and the HEART Board of Directors. As the daughter of Filipino immigrants, I believe deeply in the value of public service, collaboration, and building strong communities.. look forward to contributing my experience, collaborative approach, and commitment to strengthening partnerships among our Peninsula cities while supporting the Peninsula Division's mission of connecting, educating, and advocating for local government.
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11 CANDIDATE FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY LEGISLATIVE ACTION
COMMITTEE
Albert Gonzalez, Council Member, Santa Clara
* Albert Gonzalez has been recommended by the Nominating Committee and is unopposed for this position.
Statement of Intent to Serve: I'm interested in serving on the League of Cities Peninsula Division Executive Board because it's a powerful opportunity to deepen my engagement with regional governance and expand my understanding of city council issues across our region, state, and nation. My experience on the California School Boards Association Board and Executive Team showed me firsthand how meaningful it is to advocate for local issues, learn from statewide collaboration, and bring that knowledge back to strengthen my own district. It was equally rewarding to support other districts and contribute to the broader success of our region and state. Serving on the Peninsula Division Executive Board would allow me to continue that work— advocating at the state and national levels, elevating local priorities, and helping shape policies that benefit our communities.
Bio: Albert Gonzalez serves as the Councilmember for District 1 in the City of Santa Clara, elected in 2024. He represents the city on several key committees, including Audit, Economic Development and Marketing, Stadium Neighborhood Relations, Recycling and Waste Reduction for Santa Clara County, and the San Jose/Santa Clara Treatment Plant Advisory Committee. His public service is rooted in more than two decades of community involvement and leadership across education, youth programs, and regional policy work. Before joining the City Council, Albert spent 16 years as a board member for the Santa Clara Unified School District, where he served as board president, vice president, and on numerous district committees. He represented SCUSD in statewide and regional education organizations, ultimately serving as President of the Santa Clara County School Boards Association and later rising to President of the California School Boards Association (CSBA) after serving as Vice President and President-Elect. He also contributed to major initiatives such as the successful 2018 Measure BB bond campaign, which secured $720 million for school facilities. Albert continues to serve on the Santa Clara County Committee on School District Organization, bringing more than a decade of experience to the role. His long record of community involvement also includes leadership in youth sports, PTA, county collaboratives, and mentoring programs dating back to the early 1990s. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is the proud father of three children. *
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12 CANDIDATE FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE
Frank Kern, Council Member, Brisbane
* Frank Kern has been recommended by the Nominating Committee and is unopposed for this position.
Statement of Intent to Serve: My approach to municipal leadership is rooted in active collaboration, strategic advocacy, and protecting local control. I am deeply committed to advancing the League of California Cities' core priorities in strengthening city-state partnerships. Combining my local and regional governance experience with a background in product management, I bring a pragmatic, consensus-building mindset to complex policy challenges. I look forward to partnering with city leaders across our division to deliver impactful, community-first solutions.
Bio: Frank Kern is a Brisbane City Council Member, former Brisbane Parks and Recreation Commissioner, and strategic leader skilled at connecting public service with digital innovation. Frank represents the city on regional bodies, including the San Mateo County Library JPA, San Mateo County Pre-Hospital Emergency Services Group JPA and Caltrain Local Policy Maker Group. Before moving to the Bay Area with his partner, Frank was a Chicago City Commissioner managing local tax-levy fund investments in three diverse neighborhoods with 120k residents. In the private sector, Frank led digital product strategy and e-commerce experience for national brands like Williams- Sonoma, Sears, and Allstate. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University.
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13 CANDIDATE FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE
Domingo Candelas, Council Member, San Jose
* Domingo Candelas has been recommended by the Nominating Committee and is unopposed for this position.
Statement of Intent to Serve: Councilmember Candelas is interested in serving on the Cal Cities Peninsula Division Executive Board as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among local leaders and help advance shared priorities across the region. He looks forward to bringing San José's perspective to conversations around issues that matter most. Serving on the Board would also provide an opportunity to build stronger partnerships with neighboring cities, share best practices, and advocate for solutions that support communities throughout the Peninsula Division.
Bio: Domingo Candelas was born and raised in East San José's and is a proud graduate of local Evergreen schools and San José State University, where he earned both his bachelor's degree in Political Science and Master of Public Administration. Prior to joining the City Council, he held leadership roles with State Senator Jim Beall, Valley Water, and Stanford University, building experience in public policy, government affairs, and regional collaboration. In January 2023, Domingo was appointed to the San José City Council to represent District 8, including Evergreen and Southeast San José. He is committed to improving residents' quality of life, strengthening neighborhoods, and ensuring the community's voice is represented at City Hall.
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CANDIDATE FOR STATE DIRECTOR
Eddie Flores, Council Member, South San Francisco
* Eddie Flores has been recommended by the Nominating Committee and is unopposed for this position.
Statement of Intent to Serve: I am honored to ask for your support to continue serving as our Peninsula Division's Director on the Cal Cities statewide board. I have held this seat for the past ten months, and before that I served our division through nearly every officer role, as Secretary, Vice President, President, and now Immediate Past President. That path has given me a clear understanding of what our member cities need and how to carry those priorities into the conversations happening in Sacramento. What this work has taught me is that the challenges facing our cities rarely stop at our borders. Housing, public safety, aging infrastructure, and fiscal pressure touch every community we serve. When we share what works and learn from one another, we all govern better. I would be grateful for the chance to keep representing the Peninsula at the statewide level and to keep bringing practical, collaborative ideas to the board.
Bio: Eddie Flores represents District 5 on the South San Francisco City Council and served as Mayor from December 2024 to December 2025. He has become one of the Peninsula's most active regional voices, chairing the San Mateo County Council of Cities and serving on the executive board of the Cal Cities Latino Caucus, where he leads the Legislative Committee. He also serves on the Cal Cities Community Services Policy Committee, which takes on some of the toughest issues facing our region and recommends board positions on legislation that directly affects Peninsula Division cities. Through that work, he has helped shape the League's stance on bills addressing homelessness, park and mural funding, mental health services, childcare, and senior services, among others.Eddie brings nearly two decades of experience in community health, older adult services, and public affairs. He led statewide programs for the American Lung Association of California for eleven years, directed behavioral health programs for the Peninsula Health Care District, and oversaw community relations for the San Mateo County Community College District. Before joining the City Council, he served on the South San Francisco Unified School District Board of Trustees and the city's Parks and Recreation Commission.A first- generation college graduate who came to the United States from El Salvador at the age of six, Eddie holds bachelor's degrees in Public Policy and Public Health from UC Berkeley and an MBA from San Francisco State University. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he is committed to public service that is inclusive, collaborative, and responsive to the communities of the Peninsula. *
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