Los Altos is going through myriad challenges. From the outside, the city is under state pressures to add more housing and is now being forced into district-based elections. From within are decisions on land use downtown and at its civic center.
Five candidates are running, including two incumbents, for three seats in the Nov. 5 election. Following are brief snapshots of each candidate.
Ibrahim Bashir
Bashir, born in Saudi Arabia to parents from Pakistan, is a family man, a technology executive and former city library commissioner. Bashir moved to Los Altos in 2015.
He prides himself on keeping composure, and focusing on solving problems. It’s an approach that has worked well for him as an engineer and a tech leader. He reasons it will translate well to council.
He talks about his ability to reach consensus and think creatively. Acknowledging the growing pains facing Los Altos, Bashir believes in leaning into change, not being afraid of it.
“I think one way or another, you have to change, – but I think if you can do the change in a thoughtful way, then you preserve the essence and the character of the city right,” he said. “If you avoid the change, then you inevitably end up making decisions that are ill conceived, haphazard.”
Bashir holds degrees in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan. He’s currently Vice President of Product Management at Amplitude.
For more information, visit bashirforlosaltos.com.
Larry Lang
Lang a 25-year resident of Los Altos, has served on the Los Altos Historical Commission and on the board of the Los Altos History Museum.
He’s coming off a successful career in technology, notably leading the mobile business at Cisco and leading several startups.
He’s been doing a lot of legwork – literally – walking door to door and introducing himself to Los Altos residents. He’s been pleasantly surprised by the mostly pleasant responses.
Among the issues he’s hearing: questions over Safe Routes to Schools and safety issues over ebikes.
Lang sees upcoming council challenges concerning land use in the downtown – particularly proposals to use the longtime parking plazas for housing and other uses. He agrees that a new police station is needed but is open how to go about funding it.
Paying more attention to the needs of south Los Altos residents while realizing goals in the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan are among other priorities.
His mobile experience plays into another priority to improve the wireless infrastructure around downtown and elsewhere.
Lang recognizes that there are many new residents in the community.
“It’s important for people who are putting down roots to know the story of where they live,” said Lang, who has chaired both boards of the historical commission and history museum.
Lang’s style is to listen and be collaborative. The term he often used from his years in the tech world: Be “relentlessly constructive.”
His campaign focuses on “enhancing community belonging, fostering sustainable growth and celebrating the town’s unique character.”
For more information, visit www.losaltoslarry.org
Sally Meadows
Meadows was elected to Los Altos City Council in 2020 and served as mayor in 2023. But she’s been involved in community service long before that.
Meadows boasts a 15-year track record of volunteerism. Her community group involvement includes Mentor Tutor Connection, Community Health Advisory Council and the Los Altos Rotary Club.
In government, she has served on numerous local and regional boards including Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Santa Clara County Library District Joint Powers Authority Governing Board; North County Library Authority; and Cities Association of Santa Clara County.
Prior to council, Meadows served eight years on the planning commission, which gave her a strong understanding of land use issues.
Meadows said she’s seeking re-election to tend to some unfinished business. She cites one example in public safety infrastructure – the city needs a new police station and repairs to fire stations.
Among the council’s accomplishments during Meadows’ first term was fixing the city budget with the hiring of City Manager Gabriel Engeland. Councilmembers also resolved legal issues that were costing the city millions in legal fees. Other accomplishments: Adopting a Climate Change and Adaptation Plan and establishing a permanent outdoor dining program in the downtown.
“Our job is to try to deliver resources for people who want them,” she said.
Among her qualities, Meadow noted, “I’m approachable and I speak frankly even if they don’t like what I have to say.”
Meadows is a retired pharmaceutical/biotechnology marketing executive. She graduated with a degree in chemistry from the University of Maryland College Park, and earned an MBA at San José State University.
For more information,, visit sallyforlosaltos.com.
Eric Steinle
The practicing attorney and former Berkeley resident came to Los Altos in 2009.
“I moved because I got a job in San Jose and wanted to stop driving up and down 880,” he said last week. “(Wife) Karen is from Mountain View, and her brother lives in Los Altos Hills, so moving to Los Altos was pretty much in the cards when we were able to buy a brand-new condo at Peninsula Real Los Altos.”
News of multi-story housing project near his home prompted Steinle to attend a city planning commission meeting. He’s been attending them ever since. Steinle was recently appointed to another four years as city planning commissioner, so even if not elected to council, he’ll still be involved in the city.
Steinle prides himself on his thoroughness – he attests to preparing for meetings by reading materials carefully. His thoroughness extends to attendance at commission and council meetings. He sits through all of them.
In addition to his work on the planning commission, Steinle served on the Library Commission.
He thinks his experience as president of his homeowners association also will help with his work on the council.
“As a lawyer, I informally advised and advocated for resident groups on development projects, parking issues and zoning,” Steinle said.
Jonathan Weinberg
Weinberg was elected to the Los Altos City Council in 2020 and is serving as the city’s mayor in 2024. Prior to council, Weinberg served for approximately six years on the City’s Parks and Recreation commission.
Like Meadows, Weinberg cited major improvements in city functions during his first term, including better budget practices and improved efficiencies of city commissions.
“We’ve been able to accomplish an awful lot and it’s because we got our systems in order,” Weinberg said.
Unfinished business? “There’s a whole lot,” he said.
Theres’s the question of transforming downtown parking plazas into other uses, Weinberg said.
Other projects ahead include the Hillview dog park, expansion of the main library and improvements to the Grant Park community center. Also ahead: finding funding and seeing through plans for a new police station.
Other goals for Weinberg: Safe routes to school; transparency in public finance; access to safe and sustainable housing for all; and proactively leading efforts to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
Weinberg and his wife, Iditt, moved to Los Altos in 2009. Their children, Noah and Emma, both attend Los Altos High School.
He has practiced law for more than 20 years and is now a partner with the law firm Finkelstein & Fujii in San Mateo. Jonathan’s practice focuses on real estate law and trust and probate law.
Jonathan said he will continue to balance busy work, family and council life, if elected.
The Oakland native attended college in Southern California and received his law degree from Hastings College of the Law in 2001.
For more information, visit weinbergforcouncil.com.
