Gauthier, Speier sworn in as San Mateo County supervisors

Supervisor Noelia Corzo, selected as the board’s vice president, reflected on the board’s composition, and shared her motivation to run in 2022 was largely because of the alternate possibility of it representing only one demographic — white men.  

“Now, we have a board that is much more reflective of our county than I think it might ever have been before,” Corzo said. “I believe that representation makes leadership stronger, and I’m really excited to welcome both supervisors Gauthier and Speier.” 

Gauthier

Sworn in by her daughter Brittnee and 4-year-old grandson Camden, Gauthier joins the board after serving on the East Palo Alto City Council for 12 years, thrice as mayor. Her tenure and future plans often are inspired by making sure Camden grows up in a county where he can “survive and thrive.” 

“As I sit here today, I think that I am my mother and my ancestors’ wildest dreams,” Gauthier said. “A lot of the work that I do is because of that little guy sitting in the front row with the pink bow tie.”

Gauthier spoke to the importance of affordable child care, seeing firsthand the impact on her daughter being able to feel comfortable and trusting in leaving her son in the right hands. A single mother herself, Gauthier credited her daughter Brittnee with giving her the confidence to run for local government. 

To former supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, the first Black woman to serve on the board and who was sitting in the audience, Gauthier thanked her for her support. 

“There was so much support when I decided to run and I know there is a lot of work to be done,” Gauthier said. “As we think about the future of San Mateo County, it is a place where families can thrive, where we all can be successful.” 

A strong advocate for the residents of East Palo Alto, city residents spoke during public comment to share their appreciation that Gauthier is now their representative on the board. 

“I just want to tell the board and the county, you guys have a gem,” Jenny Varghese, a Ravenswood City School District trustee, said “Everything that you guys said that you want to do, Lisa has done in the last 12 years. 

“We know that she truly is a person of service, and you guys have taken — not taken, but have elevated — elevated one of our leaders into a space where she can continue to make an impact across the county,” Varghese said. 

Speier, accompanied by her son Jackson Sierra and granddaughter Alina Sierra, was sworn in by Anna Eshoo, a former county supervisor who just left her position in Congress. 

Speier

Speier returns to the board with a noteworthy political resume after being first elected and sworn in to the board in 1980, when she defeated a 20-year incumbent. At the time, she was the youngest person elected to the board. 

Wearing the same jacket she wore in 1981 when she was first sworn into office, Speier described her return as coming home to “make good trouble.” 

Speier served as U.S. representative for San Mateo County and San Francisco from 2008 to 2023, but, after her tenure, she maintains that local politics are where change is made.

“After 40 years of serving on all levels of government, I came to the realization that politics is really local,” Speier said. “If you want to get something done, serve local. It’s a privilege now to have the opportunity to do that again.” 

A focus of Speier’s also includes establishing strong child care resources for families, including helping providers obtain affordable rent, the proper insurance, and obtaining an affordable workforce.

“Let’s offer low-cost, universal child care in San Mateo County,” Speier said. “If we become the place where every parent has an affordable child care spot, we will solve a big pocket full of issues for our families and be a model for the country.” 

Longtime supporters of Speier’s filled the county chambers and donned scarves crafted by artist Laurel Burch who made them special, years ago, in honor of the distinguished politician. 

Wearing the colorful scarf makes her an official “Jackie Person,” San Mateo resident Carol Henton said warmly. 

“They’re the wind beneath my wings, they are so dedicated to supporting me and it’s so nice to have them here,” Speier said. 

Because of district lines, San Bruno councilmembers Marty Medina and Tom Hamilton are represented by two supervisors, Speier and Canepa, but they are both excited to have the former on the board again. 

“With two supervisors, we’re very lucky, and we can’t go wrong either way,” Medina said. “It’s great to have Jackie back.” 

Both new supervisors also addressed the need to address the high cost of living. Speier said she has a goal for the board to construct at least 5,000 units of workforce housing in the next 10 years. 

She added that she hopes to dedicate Measure K funds — county revenue collected through a half-cent tax approved by voters — dedicated to larger issues such as universal child care or workforce housing. 

“I want to fix what’s broken, we should focus Measure K on really big changes that improve the lives of everyone,” Speier said. “I hope we can evaluate how Measure K is spent and focus it in large part on bringing down the high cost of living in San Mateo County.” 

Canepa

Supervisor David Canepa was also sworn in for his third and final term by his longtime colleague, California Controller Malia Cohen. 

Canepa will also serve as the board’s president this year, returning to the seat after four years. The last time he held the president’s gavel was at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and emerging from the first term of President Donald Trump. 

Entering 2025 “similarly, with fears and unknowns,” Canepa said the strength and success of the county will remain through collaboration and creativity. Despite unknowns including department funding, immigration enforcement and reproductive rights, the board’s president assured residents this year will be focused on “hope and renewal.” 

“These are unknowns, but let me tell you what I do know,” Canepa said. “I know that the county of San Mateo will fight tooth and nail for its residents, especially our most vulnerable. We will not quietly accept changes and actions that harm our community.”

In 2024, San Mateo County was deemed the “healthiest” county in the state, and 21st in the country, determined by the U.S. News and World Report. It is identified as one of the healthiest and safest, but falls short in the categories of housing affordability and education disparities across census block groups, Canepa said. 

His goal this year is to strive for first in the country — not for the accolades associated with being number one, but because “those numbers are people.” In coming weeks, he said he will propose a healthy community subcommittee and possible task force dedicated to bringing the larger community together to try and achieve this goal. 

“Today, I affirm our collective commitment to healing,” Canepa said. “Healing requires courage, it requires listening, and it requires decisive leadership. Together, we the leaders on this board will work to rebuild trust and strengthen the bonds that bind us together.”