Chu enters race for Redwood City Council

“As a public health professional, I’m used to getting results amid tough circumstances,” Chu said in her candidate statement. “I am practical, solution-oriented and want what’s best for everyone in our neighborhood.”

The driving force of Chu’s campaign, who also serves as co-chair of the Friendly Acres Neighborhood Association, is to make sure local government focuses on local issues.

“Redwood City Council is really not in a position to influence national policy or certainly not international policy,” Chu said. “We lack the expertise and authority, and local government should focus on local issues, where they have enormous influence.”

While she has always wanted to improve the lives of others, her understanding of what is important to them has changed since her campaign four years ago, Chu said. After speaking with neighbors, she noted they are concerned with “very practical issues,” such as public safety.

One realm of this focus for Chu will be road safety.

“Redwood City has some of the most dangerous streets in the Bay Area,” she said. ‘“I want our streets to be safe enough so a child can walk or bike to school. If a child can walk to school, everyone is safe.”

Chu said how she will address law enforcement is what differs her from her opponent. Espinoza-Garnica has previously described themselves as an abolitionist — a movement typically opposed to most carceral systems, such as prisons — and they often vote against resolutions regarding funding the police; Chu doesn’t hold the same value.

“Police will always be an important part of public safety,” Chu said. “I do agree that we should address root causes — where I disagree is I don’t foresee a world where police are unnecessary or they are not an important part of the solution.”

Another priority area of Chu is increasing flexibility for home improvements, considering two-thirds of Friendly Acres residents own their homes.

“They should adapt their homes to meet the changing needs of their family as cheap and simply as possible,” Chu said.

Espinoza-Garnica is currently slated to be mayor next year. If they are not reelected, the mayoral rotation will significantly change and could cause Councilmember Elmer Martínez Saballos to be the new mayoral candidate.

Martínez Saballos has only served on the council for two years after being appointed to the position due to the departure of Michael Smith.

The other contested race will be for District 7, left vacant by outgoing councilmember Alicia Aguirre. Community organizer Diana Reddy, who served on the council from 2018 to 2022 before its redistricting, and Parks and Recreation commissioner Marcella Padilla are seeking the seat.

Incumbents Mayor Jeff Gee and Martínez Saballos are unopposed in District 1 and District 4, respectively.