The room was packed Tuesday morning as political heavyweight Jackie Speier and longtime East Palo Alto leader Lisa Gauthier were sworn in as the newest members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
Their addition shifts the board’s composition from male-dominated to a majority of women. Noelia Corzo, previously the sole Latina on the five-member board, celebrated the increased diversity in county leadership.
“When I decided to run for this board, one of my motivations was its potential to represent the demographics of our beautifully diverse county,” said Corzo, the District 2 supervisor. “Now, this board is more reflective of our county than it has ever been before.”
Women make up 50.2% of San Mateo County, according to the latest census data.
Speier, representing District 1 in the northern part of the county, is known for her advocacy on social equality and women’s rights. Gauthier, now the District 4 supervisor in the southeast part of the county, has served on the East Palo Alto City Council for more than a decade.
Speier, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2008 to 2023, emphasized the high cost of living as her top priority upon returning to local government, where she began her political career in 1980.
“The number one issue that we must address is the high cost of living in San Mateo County,” said Speier, who was sworn in by former Rep. Anna Eshoo. “It hurts everyone and manifests in ways both seen and unseen.”
Despite ranking among the nation’s wealthiest counties, San Mateo grapples with severe cost-of-living challenges. Federal guidelines classify a family of four earning $156,650 annually as “low income” in the county, where the median home price surpasses $2 million.
To meet state-mandated housing targets, the county must build 2,833 homes by 2031 in unincorporated areas, with 60% reserved for very-low to moderate-income earners. Across the Bay Area, 442,000 units are required to address housing demand, as outlined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Speier, who wore the same jacket she donned when was first sworn in back in 1980, appeared healthy after announcing a breast cancer diagnosis last July. She shared then that the cancer was caught early and successfully treated. Speier also survived the 1978 Jonestown massacre, during which she was shot while serving as a congressional aide to the late Rep. Leo Ryan, who died in the attack.
Gauthier, meanwhile, echoed Speier’s message of prioritizing affordable housing.
As a former city leader, Gauthier said she is all too familiar with housing insecurity. Her district includes East Palo Alto, Redwood City, and North Fair Oaks — areas with significant low-income communities. Residents of these neighborhoods have faced increasing displacement as nearby tech companies drive up housing costs.
“As we think about the future of San Mateo County, we know this is a place where families can thrive,” Gauthier said. “It’s a place where we all can be successful.”
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, District 5 Supervisor David Canepa was chosen as the new board president, while Corzo became vice president.
This marks Canepa’s second term as board president, his first being in 2021. Last year, he led a campaign to combat loneliness, making San Mateo the first county in the nation to declare it a “public health emergency.”
Canepa echoed Speier and Gauthier’s concerns, emphasizing the need to prioritize housing for lower-income residents, now that a housing plan, also known as the “housing element,” has been approved.
“First, we must continue to lead in affordable housing,” Canepa said. “The high cost of living in San Mateo County places enormous strains on families. Through smart policies, partnerships, and sustainable development, we can ensure everyone has a place to call home.”
Unaddressed during the meeting was the heated conflict between the board and embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus.
In March, voters will decide whether to grant the board the authority to remove an elected sheriff until 2028, the end of Corpus’ term. The measure follows a scathing 400-page investigation by retired Judge LaDoris Cordell, released in November 2024, detailing misconduct, corruption and workplace bullying allegations involving Corpus and her former chief of staff Victor Aenlle.
Jim Lawrence, a former Foster City mayor, urged the board to establish a civilian oversight panel to address corruption in the sheriff’s office.
“Let’s make it our collective mission to champion transparency, accountability, and justice,” Lawrence said during public comment. “I urge all of you to lead with courage, ensuring equity and integrity remain at the heart of every decision you make.”
While the board did not directly address the investigation during the meeting, Canepa stressed the importance of removing barriers to improving public safety.
“Public safety is a cornerstone of any thriving community,” Canepa said. “We will work to enhance trust between law enforcement and residents, prioritize safety initiatives, and ensure our neighborhoods remain safe and welcoming for all.”
