Lisa Gillmor
Lisa Gillmor | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Santa Clara | |
| Assumed office 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Jamie Matthews |
| Member of the Santa Clara City Council | |
| In office 1992–2000 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Santa Clara, California, U.S. |
| Spouse | Michael Downey |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Santa Clara, California |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California (BA, Political Science) |
| Profession | Real estate broker, politician |
Lisa M. Gillmor is an American politician, businesswoman, and real estate broker serving as the mayor of Santa Clara, California. A fourth-generation Santa Claran, she has played a significant role in the city's government for decades, holding positions on the city council and as vice mayor before her appointment and subsequent election as mayor. Gillmor is known for her advocacy on issues including real estate development, local governance, and community outreach.
Early life and education
Gillmor was raised in Santa Clara, California, as a member of a family with a long tradition of civic involvement—her father, Gary Gillmor, also served as mayor of Santa Clara.[1] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Southern California.[1][2][3]
Career
Real estate
Gillmor is the owner and broker of Gillmor & Associates, a real estate firm specializing in residential and commercial properties in Santa Clara and the surrounding area. She began her career in real estate in 1982 and manages a portfolio with holdings throughout the Bay Area, including shopping centers and undeveloped land.[4][5]
Political career
Santa Clara City Council
Gillmor first served on the Santa Clara City Council from 1992 to 2000 and again from 2011 to 2016. During these terms, she also held the position of vice mayor.[1][2][6]
Mayor of Santa Clara
She was appointed mayor in February 2016, following the resignation of Jamie Matthews. Gillmor was subsequently elected to the position in November 2018, and re-elected in 2022 after a closely contested race against Councilmember Anthony Becker.[7][8] Her terms have involved major city initiatives, council dynamics, and notable political rivalries.[9][10]
As mayor, Gillmor also serves ex officio on various local commissions and authorities, including the Sports & Open Space Authority, Industrial Development Authority, Santa Clara Stadium Authority, and others.[2]
Notable initiatives and policies
During her tenure, Gillmor has prioritized:
- Traffic and infrastructure improvements
- Balancing new housing development with neighborhood preservation
- Supporting community diversity and outreach programs
- Responding to budget challenges and economic development
- COVID-19 pandemic response, for which Santa Clara was noted for its swift resident support
- Public safety, with Santa Clara remaining among the safer cities in the region[2][6]
Her leadership has sometimes been controversial, resulting in high-profile disputes within the city council and with organizations such as the San Francisco 49ers, operators of Levi's Stadium.[11][9]
Community involvement
Outside of elected office, Gillmor has served as:
- Parks and Recreation Commissioner (Santa Clara)
- Member of the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury
- County Roads Commissioner
- County Assessment Appeals Board member
- Mission City Community Fund board member
- Former Santa Clara University Board of Fellows member[1][2][6]
Controversies
Gillmor's time as mayor has featured several political disputes, including:
- Ongoing feuds with council adversaries and city management
- Contentious elections, some influenced by outside organizations and the local NFL team, the San Francisco 49ers[8][7]
- Questions regarding term-limits compliance and city charter interpretation[12]
- Public debates on campaign transparency and nonprofit organization involvement in city politics[13]
Personal life
Lisa Gillmor is married and the mother of three children. She remains deeply connected to Santa Clara as a fourth-generation resident and community leader.[1][2][3]
References
- ^ a b c d e "City of Santa Clara City Council Councilmember Lisa M. Gillmor, CaliforniaLocal.com". Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor". City of Santa Clara. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ a b "Santa Clara Vanguard, Staff Page - Lisa M. Gillmor". Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ "Santa Clara mayor's real estate holdings worth millions". San José Spotlight. June 8, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ "Women of Influence 2022: Lisa Gillmor of Gillmor & Associates and ..." San Jose Business Journal. June 16, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Innovation Dialog with Lisa Gillmor, Mayor of Santa Clara". April 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ a b "Gillmor Re-elected Santa Clara Mayor, Edging Becker". San Jose Inside. November 9, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ a b "Santa Clara mayor's push to win back power". San José Spotlight. March 15, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ a b "Robinson: Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor's Trumpian politics". San José Spotlight. October 10, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ "Milestones - The "New" Gillmor Guillotine - Opinion". SV Voice. June 5, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ "Santa Clara mayor accused of ties to 'dark money' group". KTVU FOX 2. August 18, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ "Santa Clara mayor may have violated city rules serving another term". San José Spotlight. February 12, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ "Santa Clara mayor accused of ties to 'dark money' group". KTVU FOX 2. August 18, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2025.