• 2026 ELECTION: LOS GATOS TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES

    Thank you to the candidates, the community, and to our venue partner CineLux Los Gatos Theatre for an informative and engaging Candidate Forum.

    On Wednesday, October 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, the community had the opportunity to hear all six Los Gatos Town Council candidates discuss the issues shaping Los Gatos ahead of the November 3 election during the Chamber's nonpartisan Candidate Forum.

    The moderated forum focused on Town budget and fiscal priorities, housing and development, and business and economic vitality, followed by audience Q&A. All participating candidates received the same questions and an equal opportunity to respond. Please scroll below for each candidate's biography (provided by each respective candidate).

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  • MEET THE CANDIDATES

    Mary Badame | Rob Moore | Heidi Owens | Steve Raspe | Rob Stump | Jeff Suzuki

    Mary Badame: 

    Mary Badame is a longtime Los Gatos resident whose life has been shaped by service, community, and steady leadership. Raised in a large family, she learned early the value of hard work and responsibility. After graduating from Los Gatos High School and earning a degree in Criminal Justice Administration from San Jose State University, she built a career in public safety and later founded a successful insurance agency, serving local families for four decades. Her extensive civic involvement includes work with victim services, restorative justice programs, and seven years on the Los Gatos Planning Commission. Elected to the Town Council in 2020, Mary brings a grounded, compassionate perspective shaped by a lifetime of connection to the town she proudly calls home.

    Rob Moore:

    Rob Moore currently serves as Mayor of Los Gatos, having been elected to the Town Council in November 2022. A lifelong Los Gatos resident, serving his community has been the professional honor of his life. During his term, Rob has passed balanced budgets without raising taxes, achieved a certified Housing Element to restore local control while building more affordable homes, and supported downtown businesses and economic vitality. He has prioritized transparency and communication, keeping residents informed through a monthly newsletter and community coffees, while promoting local businesses through his social media show "What's In, What's Out," and a monthly business recognition. He has invested in public safety, wildfire preparedness, and traffic safety, founded a youth mentorship program, and supported rental assistance for Los Gatos families. Rob is running for re-election to continue delivering results for the community that raised him.

    Heidi Owens:

    Heidi Owens brings more than 20 years of business, finance, and public-sector experience. At Cisco, she worked with small businesses and partners through the Voice of the Customer program, helping bring their needs into corporate decision-making.

    As a Santa Clara County Board Aide, Heidi helped develop small-business relief and economic support programs, working with the County’s economic development team and the Small Business Development Center.

    Heidi holds a BA and MBA in business. Her priorities include fiscal responsibility, reducing unnecessary barriers, supporting a vibrant downtown, and making Town Hall a responsive, practical partner to Los Gatos businesses.

    Steve Raspe: 

    Steve Raspe is a proud Los Gatan and lawyer who's raising his family here in town. Steve is the son of immigrants, his dad a machinist, his mom a bookkeeper. Steve’s a proud product of California public schools, and earned his law degree at Berkeley. He spent 15 years as a trial lawyer before dedicating his practice to representing nonprofits. His own experience taught him the importance of opportunity. So, over the last decade, Steve's served our town as Chair and Vice Chair of both the Los Gatos Planning Commission and the Historic Preservation Committee. Steve’s running for Town Council because he believes it's time to stop talking and start delivering. Steve will manage housing growth, keep our neighborhoods safe, and bring a balanced voice to Town Council.

    Rob Stump:

    Rob Stump is a lifelong Los Gatos resident whose local roots span three generations. He attended Van Meter, Fisher, and Los Gatos High School, where his children became third-generation graduates.

    A former Fortune 500 business executive with 45 years of leadership experience, Rob managed business units up to $500 million in revenue before retiring as Executive Vice President of the Sunset Group in 2025.

    Dedicated to community service, Rob has championed local wildfire safety since 2018, serving on the Town’s Ad Hoc Wildfire Committee and helping launch the West Valley Wildfire Council. Appointed to the Los Gatos Planning Commission in 2025, he brings strong fiscal and land-use oversight to local development.

    Rob and his wife, Nancy, have lived in Los Gatos for 36 years.

    Jeff Suzuki:
    Jeff Suzuki grew up in Los Gatos, attending Blossom Hill Elementary, Fisher, and Los Gatos High School. He holds a bachelor's in Economics from UC Berkeley and a master's in Data Science from Northwestern University. He works as an economic analyst, providing research for lawsuits involving price-fixing and fraud.

    A former Planning Commissioner, he currently serves on the Complete Streets and Transportation Commission. He also founded and administers a local rental assistance program that keeps our neighbors housed.

    As a council member, he will prioritize passing our Housing Element on time and improve housing affordability with local control, work to reduce traffic congestion using policies he recommended as a transportation commissioner, and strengthen community services.

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