We're proud to support pro-housing candidates in San Mateo!
Explanations for endorsements are below.
Governor
Steyer's range of housing policies set him apart from the rest of the field. He has committed to eliminating single-family zoning statewide, expanding by-right approvals, and upzoning around transit. He has publicly backed SB 79 and a range of other landmark housing legislation, and his co-founding of Beneficial State Bank has financed more than 17,000 affordable housing units.
His housing plan also takes on the structural forces that make building so expensive in California. Steyer has committed to closing the commercial property tax loophole that forces cities to backfill their budgets with developer fees, and to require localities to cap those fees in exchange for new state revenue. He would hold noncompliant cities accountable under state housing law while offering full state support to jurisdictions acting in good faith.
Lieutenant Governor
Michael Tubbs has spent his career fighting for the kind of abundant, equitable California that YIMBYs believe in. As an early supporter of SB 79, Tubbs understands that California cannot solve its affordability crisis without building far more homes in every community. YIMBY Action endorsed Tubbs for Lieutenant Governor because he brings bold leadership, a commitment to abundance over scarcity, and a clear vision for an affordable California.
Insurance Commissioner
California's insurance industry has been decimated by insurance commissions that micromanage insurers' risk models, and respond to political pressure to artificially reduce insurance rates in high risk areas and for high risk structures.
Patrick has the experience and temperament to effectively return real competition to the insurance markets. He will ensure that insurers are accurately able to price risk. He will also fight insurers who lobby to keep their payout data secret to ensure that consumers have the data they need to shop for the best insurance. He will work with insurers and the legislature to create programs that help homeowners and cities reduce fire risk.
Patrick is a genuine technocrat, insurance professional and former hedge fund manager. For too long, the Insurance Commissioner has been a position held by a politician without any interest or expertise in insurance or economics who is merely seeking a statewide office and a paycheck. We have to do something different.
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors District 2
San Mateo Forward supports Noelia Corzo because she has been a consistent champion for housing affordability, inclusive growth, and opportunity for working families across San Mateo County. As a lifelong county resident, former school board trustee, social worker, and community organizer, Corzo brings both lived experience and a deep commitment to building communities where people of all backgrounds can afford to stay and thrive. She has prioritized affordable housing, transit, and equitable economic opportunity while helping lead the county through major challenges with a focus on practical, people-centered solutions. Her willingness to support more homes near jobs and transit, combined with her collaborative leadership style and strong grassroots support, makes her the kind of forward-looking leader San Mateo Forward is proud to endorse.
San Mateo City Council District 5
San Mateo Forward supports Adam Loraine because he understands that solving the Peninsula’s affordability crisis requires building more housing, strengthening transit-oriented communities, and planning for long-term sustainability.
San Mateo City Council District 3
We support Seema Patel because she brings a thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach to addressing the challenges facing San Mateo, especially the urgent need for more housing and greater affordability. Patel understands that thriving communities require homes for people at all income levels, strong public services, and investments in sustainable, transit-connected growth.