|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The San Ramon City Council’s newest member is seeking to remain on board for another four years, with District 2 representative Richard Adler gearing up for his first campaign for office after nearly two years on the job.
Adler has been in the seat since shortly after the 2024 election, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy representing the southwest portion of the city and a swath of the Dougherty Hills that was left by Mark Armstrong’s election as mayor.
“I am asking for your vote to be elected for a full term because I want to work to continue to provide the high quality of life that makes our city such a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family,” Adler told DanvilleSanRamon.
While 2024 marked Adler’s first foray into city government, his experience living, working, and raising a family in the city goes back to 1997.
“My top priority is to ensure the public safety of our growing, diverse community,” Adler said. “I will continue to ensure that our police, firefighters, and other first responders are fully resourced, trained, and equipped to protect our neighborhoods, schools, parks, and retail centers.”
“I am also committed to ensuring that residents have access to mental health resources and support services that promote the well-being of our community members, especially our children who are exposed to negative social media influence,” he continued.
Adler’s tenure on the council to date has put him front and center in the city’s ongoing efforts to address a structural budget deficit that was identified in 2024, leading to a wave of budget cuts and later the passage of the temporary, 1% sales tax increase Measure N that went into effect last spring.
The temporary nature of the measure – which is poised to sunset after 10 years – along with residents’ high expectations for city services and the long-term budget outlook have continued to be front and center in council discussions, as well as Adler and the other incumbents’ campaign platforms this year.
Adler said that he was particularly committed to maintaining the city’s parks, trails, art and cultural programming, community centers and libraries.
“These important services can only be provided by making sure our city has an effective and sensible long-term financial plan, by using budget processes that protect taxpayer dollars,” Adler said.
Adler also pointed to his vote in favor of establishing the council’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, noting that “our physical environment is critically important to maintaining our health and well-being.”
Just as he inherited Armstrong’s council seat in the wake of the 2024 election, Adler has inherited Armstrong’s rival for the mayor’s seat in that year’s race, with former mayoral and State Assembly candidate Chirag Kathrani setting his sights on the District 2 seat.
The upcoming election is set to see the two face off for a second time, but this time as candidates in a formal election. Kathrani had sought the District 2 appointment after losing the mayoral race to Armstrong, adding the council’s choice of Adler to a laundry list of his critiques of the city government that has only grown since 2024.
Adler said that his campaign site and additional information were still forthcoming as of Thursday afternoon.
