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Seema Patel, candidate for San Mateo City Council District 3
Building a vibrant San Mateo, together.

About

Hello, neighbors! I'm Seema Patel, and I’ve called the Central neighborhood home for 12 years. By trade, I create story-driven spaces that bring families and communities together. By passion, I am a dedicated public servant, a mother of two, and a fierce advocate for a safe, affordable San Mateo. 

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I'm running for San Mateo City Council District 3 in 2026 to put my experience to work for you.

Rooted in Service

I am the daughter of immigrants who came to this country seeking a better life. With a father who served as a US Navy officer for 30 years, I was raised to value hard work, integrity, and service to the common good. After living in diverse communities across the country – from Pennsylvania to Florida – I put down roots in San Mateo in 2013, drawn by its walkable neighborhoods, beautiful weather, and perfect location at the heart of the region. It's the community I've built here and the future I want to protect for my family and yours that drives my candidacy for San Mateo City Council.

Career of Innovation

My professional life has been defined by using technology to help people connect. I hold degrees in Physics, Social Psychology, and Computer Science. Before joining Google – where I led the Experiential Design team for Real Estate – I spent eight years as the CEO of my own robotics company. There, we developed animatronic robots for museums and interactive therapy tools to help neurodiverse children learn social skills through play. That experience of leading teams, managing budgets, and solving complex problems is exactly what I'll bring as your representative on the San Mateo City Council.

Taking Action in San Mateo

Community service has been part of my life since I became a Girl Scout at age five. Today, that service takes the form of action.

  • Planning for the Future: As Chair of the San Mateo Planning Commission since 2024 and Commissioner since 2021, I have deep experience navigating the complex decisions that shape our city.

  • Housing Advocate: After seeing friends and neighbors forced out by rising costs, I joined Peninsula for Everyone to fight for affordable housing in San Mateo.

  • Safety Champion: When tragedy struck our streets, I didn't wait for someone else to fix it. I founded Safe Streets for Everyone to organize neighbors and demand pedestrian safety improvements and safer infrastructure for cyclists.

Life in San Mateo

When I’m not nerding out over housing policy or reviewing city plans, you can find me cheering on my kids at gymnastics meets and music recitals, restoring and riding vintage Italian scooters, or reading a book on our beautiful pedestrian mall (usually with a coffee in hand!). San Mateo is where I'm raising my family, and it's why I'm running to make sure this city stays affordable, safe, and vibrant for the next generation.

Seema Patel's father in US Navy service — family roots in public service
Seema Patel with animatronic robot she built as CEO of her robotics company
Seema Patel at San Mateo County Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance community event
Seema Patel with her daughter on San Mateo B Street pedestrian mall
Seema Patel receiving Housing Leader Award from Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County

Over the past five years, I've served in leadership roles across San Mateo city government, regional organizations, and community groups, building the experience and relationships needed to deliver results on the City Council.

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City of San Mateo Leadership

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  • Planning Commission

    • Chair (2024 – present)

    • Vice Chair (2023 –  2024)

    • Member (2021 –  2023)

  • Civic Arts Committee, Member (2022 – present)

  • General Plan Subcommittee, Member (2022  – 2023)

  • Community Relations Commission, Member (2021)

  • Safe Streets for Everyone San Mateo, Founder (2025 – present)

  • B Street Boosters, Co-founder (2023 – present)

Regional Representation

  • San Mateo County Transit District Measure W Citizens Oversight Committee, Member (2025  – present)

  • California Democratic Party, Delegate for Assembly District 21 (2023 – present)​

  • Sierra Club, Member (2022 – present)

  • Peninsula For Everyone, Member (2021 – present)

  • Planned Parenthood, Member (2012 – present)

  • League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County, Board Member (2023 – 2025)

  • San Mateo County Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance, Executive Board (2023 – 2024)

Training & Awards

  • San Mateo Community Police Academy (2024)

  • San Mateo County Leadership CORPS (2024)

  • Housing Leader Award, Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County (2022)

  • San Mateo City Services Academy (2022)

Seema Patel at community event in San Mateo
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