Eight Candidates Will Vie for Mountain View Seats
Voters will elect three new city councilmembers in November 2026 to fill vacancies left by departing incumbents.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Should your city prioritize rapid housing development over the concerns of existing neighborhood residents?
Eight candidates are running for three open seats on the Mountain View City Council in the November 2026 election. Three incumbents, Alison Hicks, Ellen Kamei, and Lucas Ramirez, are leaving office after completing two terms.
Why it matters
The new council will face pressure to meet a state-mandated goal of building 11,135 residential units by 2031. Additionally, leaders must navigate a downtown revitalization plan amid a current office vacancy rate of 31.5%.
The downtown office vacancy rate has risen to 31.5% compared to 25% in 2024. The city is currently one-third of the way through its 10-year downtown revitalization plan.
The players
Alison Hicks
She is an outgoing Mountain View City Councilmember who is stepping down after serving two terms.
Ellen Kamei
She is an outgoing Mountain View City Councilmember departing the council after two terms.
Lucas Ramirez
He is an outgoing Mountain View City Councilmember leaving his post following the completion of two terms.
The details
Candidates are proposing various methods to spur growth and safety, including cutting red tape and leveraging infrastructure funds. The council is also tasked with executing the Vision Zero Policy to eliminate fatal traffic collisions by 2030.
Timeline
The office vacancy rate was 25% in 2024.
Voters will elect City Council members in November 2026.
The city aims to eliminate fatal traffic collisions by 2030.
The deadline for 11,135 new residential units is 2031.
Market Landscape
The election reflects a broader trend of municipal governments managing post-pandemic office vacancies while balancing state-mandated housing requirements. This transition positions the city to potentially pivot its downtown revitalization strategy based on the priorities of the new council.
Residents should expect potential changes to local zoning and development priorities as new council members take office. These shifts could directly influence the future availability of residential housing and the ongoing revitalization efforts of the downtown corridor.
The takeaway
The upcoming election marks a significant leadership turnover at a critical juncture for urban development in Mountain View. Residents are encouraged to review candidate proposals regarding the city's housing mandates and downtown office vacancy issues before the November vote.
Further reading
For more on how shifts in work impact local infrastructure, visit the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Jose Mercury News.
Live Poll
Should your city prioritize rapid housing development over the concerns of existing neighborhood residents?
