Los Gatos voters will fill three at-large Town Council seats on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, choosing from six candidates: incumbents Mary Badame and Rob Moore, and challengers Steve Raspe, Rob Stump, Jeff Suzuki and Heidi Owens. The top three vote-getters win four-year terms.

Why it matters: It is the town's first contested council race since Los Gatos missed the state's Jan. 31, 2023 Housing Element deadline. The town received 19 Builder's Remedy applications during the 525 days before the state certified its plan on July 10, 2024, the Los Gatan reported.

How the election works

  • Five council members, all elected town-wide (no districts), to four-year overlapping terms with a two-term limit, according to the Town Clerk.
  • The council picks the mayor and vice mayor each December.
  • Vote centers open Saturday, Oct. 24; election day is Nov. 3; results are certified Dec. 3.

The 2024 council race was canceled because two incumbents ran unopposed.

The candidates

Mary Badame (incumbent): insurance business owner, elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022. She voted against the final Housing Element in June 2024, arguing its 2,371 homes by 2031 went beyond the state minimum. Wants police funded to full strength and better wildfire evacuation plans.

Rob Moore (incumbent, current mayor): elected in 2022 and became mayor in December 2025 at 27, the youngest in town history. Voted for the Housing Element at every stage. Backs tolling pilots, free bus passes for students and seniors, and the Highway 17 Congestion Management Project for beach traffic. Endorsed by the Sierra Club, Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga and the county Democratic Party.

Steve Raspe: real estate attorney and former Planning Commission chair. Wants new housing steered downtown and along transit corridors rather than the hillsides, and supports talks on extending Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police service to Saratoga. Endorsed by DA Jeff Rosen and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, among others.

Rob Stump: sitting planning commissioner who spent 20 years at PG&E. Focuses on wildfire preparedness, traffic safety near Los Gatos High and spending; he says the town spends $1.60 for every dollar of revenue. Endorsed by eight former Los Gatos mayors.

Jeff Suzuki: planning commissioner and former transportation commissioner who helped set up free VTA passes for Los Gatos High students and staff. The only candidate who told the Los Gatan he wants the town to end its Flock license plate camera contract.

Heidi Owens: 25-year resident who ran in 2020. Privacy advocate who wants council approval before police adopt new surveillance technology, and wants the council itself to run the next Housing Element process.

Issues to watch

  • Pending Builder's Remedy and SB 330 housing projects, and getting the next Housing Element certified by 2031.
  • Highway 17 beach traffic through downtown.
  • The town's Flock camera contract, extended through 2029 with votes from Badame and Moore.

Los Gatos voters also decide the Los Gatos-Saratoga Measure N high school bond. More races: Bay Area Election 2026 guide.