New mayor and councilmembers for Redwood City

“Growing up in Redwood City, I learned quickly the power of community, the strength that comes from neighbors supporting neighbors, and the power of people of different backgrounds coming together to resolve shared issues,” he said. 

The new mayor also acknowledged the city is “not without its challenges” including rising rents, homelessness, lack of child care and gun violence. Martínez Saballos said he will focus on diplomacy and respectful discourse, welcoming and celebrating new perspectives, and prioritizing strong support for newcomers.

“If we can make a community that is able to uplift a family within a generation, then we know we’re building a strong and resilient community where everybody can succeed,” Martínez Saballos said. 

Isabella Chu and Marcella Padilla were also sworn into office to represent District 3 and 7, respectively. 

Chu beat incumbent Espinoza Garnica by just 15 votes, and said she will continue to work with the former vice mayor, recognizing the constituents they represent — “half of the people in my district voted for her,” Chu said. The former vice mayor said they will continue organizing within their community and “isn’t going anywhere.” 

“You don’t win everything, but you can really get somewhere, you can go really far if you start talking to your neighbors,” Espinoza Garnica said.

Public commenters and fellow councilmembers spoke to the perspective Espinoza Garnica brought to the dais, as a first-generation nonbinary Latino socialist, and acknowledged what will be lost without them on council. 

“I appreciate how brave you were in working with all of us, and bringing things that we hadn’t thought about, and especially your gentle way of doing it,” Aguirre said. “You made us look at things in a different way, which I think is so important on a council.” 

Padilla looks to take over for retiring longtime public servant Aguirre who dedicated 19 years to the council, and five years on the board of the Redwood City School District. Aguirre became the city’s first Latino mayor, and was recognized by the community and city staff for her trailblazing career. 

“In your work within Redwood City, but also in the region, in the state, you have been the first in many cases,” City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz said to Aguirre. “You have been the first as a woman, you have been first as a Latina, and you have been careful to not be the last.” 

Though Martínez Saballos made his own historical moment, he recognized the path paved by Aguirre, who he said empowered fellow Latinos to serve in local government. 

“I know a few of us wouldn’t be up here without your leadership and without the work you did to get us here and to make it possible for there to be even greater representation in the future,” the new mayor said. 

Outgoing Mayor Jeff Gee was honored for his service in the role, with many reflecting on his commitment to public service despite his full-time job and various responsibilities. Councilmember Chris Sturken jokingly requested Gee “finally take a vacation.” 

Gee’s insight from his years of institutional knowledge will not go untapped, Martínez Sabllos said. 

“I know that you’ve opened the doors for so many new leaders, but you haven’t closed that door,” Martínez Saballos said. 

Gee was reelected to the council and will serve for another four years before he will term out.

“As the gavel gets passed tonight from mayor to a new mayor, my commitment to Redwood City and to the council and staff remains steadfast,” Gee said. 

One last council meeting will be held this year, slated for Dec. 16.