Candidate Jan Pepper took the lead in the Los Altos City Council race Tuesday night, leading the charge in an all-woman sweep of three seats on the council.
Incumbent candidate Megan Satterlee was in second place and former Planning Commissioner Jeannie Bruins held her tight lead over Jon Baer.
With 6,339 votes, or nearly 27 percent of the vote, Pepper held a commanding lead, something her campaign treasurer Bob Grimm attributed to her solid candidacy and comprehensive campaign.
Satterlee had 4,123 votes or 17 percent. Bruins, with 3,742 or 15.65 percent of the vote, led Baer by 248 votes.
Adding incumbent Mayor Val Carpenter, Vice-Mayor Jarrett Fishpaw is the sole man on council.
The Los Altos City Council 2012 election season was anything but quiet.
In the race to fill three seats on the five-member council, six candidates emerged and the tone, in some quarters, was no-holds-barred. Incumbent Megan Satterlee found herself running for re-election in a crowded field. Two other seats were completely open, due to term limits.
Results
23 of 23 Precincts Reporting (100%) Votes Percentage Los Altos City Council Jan Pepper 6,339 26.52% Megan Satterlee*4,123 17.24% Jeannie Bruins
3,742 15.65% Jon Baer 3,494 14.62% Jerry Sorensen 3,384 14.16% Anabel Pelham 2,823 11.81% *indicates incumbent
Patch listed the candidates in alphabetical order, who were competing to serve a four-year term. The candidates addressed downtown vibrancy, its cooperation with the Los Altos School District to find facilities space, civic center aspirations, and a raft of challenges for the future.
All six candidates responded to a Patch questionnaire about their qualifications. Click on each name to see their responses, and to see additional stories about the candidate.
Here is additional information provided by The League of Women Voters on smartvoter.org:
Jon Baer
- Occupation: Startup Business Consultant
- MBA, Dartmouth Tuck School of Business
- BS Engineering Science, Tufts University
- BA Biology, Tufts University
- Los Altos Planning Commissioner 2007-Present, Chair 2011-12, 09-10
- Neighborhood Traffic Task Force 1998-2001
- MVLA High School Foundation Endowment Trustee
Top Priorities
- Increase downtown vibrancy while preserving character of Los Altos
- Keep a tight rein on city budget, expenditures, and pension costs
- Support neighborhood schools and work with LASD Board to address facilities issues
More information about Baer on smartvoter.org
Jeannie Bruins
- Occupation: Community Volunteer
- B.S. Computer Science, Cal Poly
- Management, Hewlett-Packard (1981-1998)
- Planning Commissioner (2010-2012)
- Immediate Past President, Community Services Agency (2008-present)
- Newsletter Director, Los Altos Neighborhood Network (2009-present)
- Vice Pres., Friends of Stevens Creek Trail (2006-2011)
Top Priorities
- Meaningful Community Engagement - value the collective intelligence of all members of our community
- Vibrant Business Districts - protect the character while encouraging thoughtful development
- Safe Streets - a neighborhood focused approach for pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles
More information about Bruins on smartvoter.org
Anabel Pelham
- Occupation: Professor/Administrator/Scientist
- Ph.D. Medical Sociology and Gerontology
- Professor, San Francisco State University
- President, National Assoication for Professional Gerontologists
Top Priorities
- Economically vital and socially vibrant Los Altos using evidence, best practices and models
- A sense of stewardship on the City Council: inclusion, respect and transparency
- Forward looking planning and problem solving for all generations
More information about Pelham on smartvoter.org
Jan Pepper
- Occupation: Engineer/Division Manager
- Energy Entrepreneur
- BA, Engineering Stanford University
- MBA, Stanford University
- Registered Professional Engineer, Civil Engineering, California
- Past President, League of Women Voters
- Renewable Energy Consultant
Top Priorities
- Transparent, inclusive government
- Vibrant commercial areas
- Fiscal accountability
More information on Pepper on smartvoter.org
Megan Satterlee
- Occupation: City Councilwoman
- MBA, Anderson School of Management
- JD, UCLA School of Law
- BA, Stanford University
- 15+ years experience at Hewlett-Packard
- Los Altos Planning Commissioner 2006-7
- Sunnyvale Planning Commissioner 1998-2003
Top Priorities
- Fiscal responsibility including a balanced budget and continued pension reform
- Investing in safety on our roads, especially near schools
- Preservation of the character of Los Altos in our residential and commercial areas
More information on Satterlee on smartvoter.org
Jerry Sorensen
- Occupation: Management Consultant
- UCLA, 1980
- 30 year resident
- Festival of Lights & Pet Parade
- Little League Board, Founder Mountain View High School Sports Boosters
- After School Athletics, Flag Football & Peninsula Baseball Club
- Alpha Omega Homeless Shelter
Top Priorities
- Pension Reform
- Solutions for LASD school facility needs
- Downtown visioning & Traffic solutions
More information about Sorensen on smartvoter.org
