Save Downtown Menlo Endorsed Two City Council Candidates
The campaign committee behind Measure P has announced its support for Drew Combs and Laura Melahn.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in City Hall
Live Poll
Do you trust local candidates who accept endorsements from groups opposing new community housing projects?
Save Downtown Menlo, the group advocating for Measure P, officially endorsed City Council candidates Drew Combs and Laura Melahn. The ballot measure, which seeks to require public votes for development on downtown parking lots, has become a focal point of the local election.
Why it matters
The endorsements highlight ongoing tensions regarding the future of three downtown parking lots slated for potential housing development. Voters will decide the fate of these projects when they head to the polls on November 3.
The measure mandates a public vote for any development project proposed for three specific downtown parking lots in Menlo Park. Voters are scheduled to decide the proposal on November 3.
The players
Drew Combs
He is a Menlo Park City Council candidate who has publicly stated he will vote no on Measure P.
Laura Melahn
She is a Menlo Park City Council candidate who received an endorsement from Save Downtown Menlo but has not stated her position on the measure.
Vamsi Velagapudi
He is a Menlo Park City Council candidate who publicly criticized the endorsement of his opponent.
Save Downtown Menlo
This is the campaign committee actively supporting the passage of Measure P.
The details
Drew Combs, who has stated he will vote no on the measure, suggested the endorsement may reflect his empathy for the concerns of all parties involved. Candidate Vamsi Velagapudi, who also opposes Measure P, sent an email to supporters criticizing the endorsement of Combs.
Timeline
Save Downtown Menlo announced its candidate endorsements on October 5.
Vamsi Velagapudi sent an email criticizing the endorsement on October 8.
Voters will cast ballots on Measure P on November 3.
Political Context
This dispute reflects a broader trend of utilizing local ballot measures to challenge housing density targets and municipal development plans. Opponents of Measure P argue that such initiatives create regulatory hurdles that stall essential infrastructure and housing production.
Residents should be aware that the passage of Measure P would require a public vote for development projects on three downtown lots, potentially delaying future housing construction. This regulation may directly influence the availability and cost of new housing units within the city center.
The takeaway
The intersection of candidate endorsements and specific ballot measures demonstrates the high stakes of local development politics. Voters are encouraged to review the arguments from all candidates regarding Measure P before casting their ballots.
What happens next
The city will hold a vote on Measure P on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Find more coverage on local governance at City Hall.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Palo Alto Daily Post.
Live Poll
Do you trust local candidates who accept endorsements from groups opposing new community housing projects?
