Thoughtful, experienced
leadership
Paul is a dedicated community advocate who brings a balanced, engineering-minded approach to Mountain View's future. With decades of service on city boards and commissions, he is committed to fostering a vibrant, affordable, and sustainable city through collaborative and thoughtful leadership.
Did you miss the City Council Candidate Forum on August 27?
Watch the replay on YouTube now.
Presented by Mountain View Chamber of Commerce and KMVT 15 Silicon Valley Community Media.
10:00 am, Sat. Sept. 19 @ Chetwood Park
10:00 am, Sat. Sept. 26 @ Heritage Park
at your local park
MEET PAUL
I'm grateful for every conversation, every question, and every idea you've shared. Our community is strongest when we listen to one another and work together.
— Paul Donahue
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Environment
Mountain View faces real environmental challenges—from sea level rise along the Bay to future droughts—and we must lead in building a more sustainable future. Our urban forest and parks are essential to our quality of life, especially as our city grows.
On the Parks and Recreation Commission, Paul advocated for more park space in underserved neighborhoods and helped develop the city’s Parks and Open Space Plan and its first Recreation Plan. He is running for City Council to continue protecting our environment, expanding parks, and ensuring Mountain View remains a healthy, livable city for the next generation.
On the Urban Forestry Board, Paul advocated for protecting and expanding tree canopy throughout our city. He helped guide initial development of the city's Community Tree Master Plan which shapes the management of tens of thousands of trees across our city. On the Council, he will continue to advocate for the health, environmental, and livability benefits of trees.
Economy
Downtown Mountain View is one of our city’s crown jewels, but since the pandemic many small businesses have struggled and storefronts remain empty.
Throughout the city, small businesses give Mountain View its character, create jobs, and build community. We must support them by following the city’s economic vitality strategy and reducing unnecessary red tape.
Having grown up with parents who ran a clothing store on their town's main street, Paul knows the challenges firsthand. As a member of the Downtown Committee, he advocated for small businesses like the one his parents owned, an important priority that he will bring to the Council.
While on the Environmental Planning Commission, Paul helped update zoning regulations and eliminate burdensome permits to make it easier for businesses to open and thrive. He will continue to work to revitalize our downtown, support small businesses, and keep Mountain View vibrant and thriving.
HOUSING
Mountain View has been recognized by the state as a pro-housing city, but we must follow through.
Our housing plan calls for thousands of new homes, including homes that are affordable to teachers, retirees, and young families helping preserve the diversity that makes our community strong.
More housing must also be accompanied by infrastructure such as parks and neighborhood-serving businesses.
While on the Environmental Planning Commission, Paul supported policies that help housing get built, integrate affordable homes throughout the city, and increase supply while respecting neighborhood character. On the City Council, Paul will continue this work and ensure Mountain View grows in infrastructure and affordability.
While on the Airport Land Use Commission,
Paul oversaw land use in areas adjacent to airports throughout the county, ensuring that new residential developments aren't subjected to safety or noise problems. He will bring this regional land use perspective to the City Council.
PRIORITIES
CPNA
20+
YEARS OF CIVIC LEADERSHIP
EXPERIENCE
Environmental Planning Commissioner | 2024-present
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Currently serves as vice-chair of the seven-member commission.
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Supported policies that help housing get built, integrate affordable homes throughout the city, and increase supply while respecting neighborhood character.
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Helped update zoning regulations and eliminate burdensome permits to make it easier for businesses to open and thrive.
Library Trustee | 2015-2022
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Eight years of service, including two years as chair and two years as vice-chair.
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Set policy for the library not just as a building full of books, but as a vital center for lifelong learning and community connection.
Downtown Committee
Member | 2014-2015
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Championed small, locally owned businesses much like the one his parents owned decades earlier.
Parks & Recreation
Commissioner | 2007-2013
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Seven years of service, including two years as chair and two years as vice-chair.
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Helped develop the city’s Parks and Open Space Plan. Advocated for more park space in underserved neighborhoods.
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As a member of the Urban Forestry Board, helped guide development of the city’s Community Tree Master Plan, which shapes the management of tens of thousands of trees. Advocated for protecting and expanding the tree canopy throughout Mountain View.
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As a Recreation Subcommittee Member, helped develop the city’s first Recreation Plan in 2008.
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Member of city’s Arbor Day Committee, helping to plan the Arbor Day event.
Airport Land Use
Commissioner | 2013-present
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Over 12 years of service on the commission including 5 years as chair and 4 years as vice-chair.
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Reviewed local land use decisions near airports to protect the public from problems related to safety, height, and noise.
Airports
Commissioner | 2015-2018
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Three years of service, including one year as vice-chair.
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Advised the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors on issues related to the two airports operated by the county: Reid Hillview Airport and San Martin Airport.
Cuesta Park Neighborhood Association | 2002-present
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Served as founding president, getting the community-based organization of over 1,700 houses and apartments off the ground.
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Drafted the original bylaws and helped build neighborhood cohesion for more than 20 years.
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Served on several committees, including the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Committee, the Social Committee, and the Newsletter Committee.
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Helped plan annual neighborhood picnics and the “Neighborhood Heroes” safety fairs.
Hank Dempsey
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMISSIONER
José Gutierrez
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMISSIONER
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
Tina Pham
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMISSIONER
Alex Núñez
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMISSIONER
Pete Dailey
LOS ALTOS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
Joe Mitchner
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONER
Helen Wolter
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL
MEMBER
Carol Donahue
Mountain View Performing Arts Commissioner
OTHER ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Fiona Walter
RETIRED MVWSD AND MVLA SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE
Greg Coladonato
RETIRED MVWSD SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE
Ellen Wheeler
RETIRED MVWSD SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE
Russ Wood
RETIRED MVWSD SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE
Devon Conley
MVWSD SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE
MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES
Thida Cornes
MVLA SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE
Nancy Noe
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW VICE-MAYOR
Matt Pear
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
Art Takahara
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
Jim Cochran
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
Tom Means
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
Leslie C. Nichols
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
Ken Rosenberg
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
Lisa Matichak
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
John McAlister
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
Mike Kasperzak
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
Jac Siegel
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYOR
MOUNTAIN VIEW MAYORS
Josh Becker
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR
Margaret Abe-Koga
SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUPERVISOR
ENDORSEMENTS
Aytek Celik
LITERACY ADVOCATE,
CUESTA PARK
Katy Crain
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER,
WAGON WHEEL
Carlos Diuk
FORMER PTA PRESIDENT,
ROCK-MORGAN-SPRING
Kathy Hall
COMMUNITY MEMBER,
SYLVAN PARK
Paul Hammer
FORMER PTA VICE PRESIDENT, CUESTA PARK
Albert Jeans
NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATE,
STIERLIN ESTATES
Bruce Karney
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATE,
OLD MOUNTAIN VIEW
Jofish Kaye
COMMUNITY MEMBER,
SHORELINE WEST
Debbie & Doug Kundrat
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS,
CUESTA PARK
Kammy Lo
MEMBER, CANOPY ADVISORY COUNCIL,
WAVERLY PARK
Phil and Ann Marcoux
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS,
WAVERLY PARK
Olga Melo
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER,
MONTA LOMA
Kim Merry
HARVEST FOR NEIGHBORS COORDINATOR,
CUESTA PARK
Bob Moragues
COMMUNITY MEMBER,
CUESTA PARK
Leslie Murdock
COMMUNITY MEMBER,
SYLVAN PARK
Anita N. Nichols
COMMUNITY MEMBER,
CUESTA PARK
Amy Rhoads
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER,
CUESTA PARK
Renae Rhodes
MVWSD UNION MEMBER,
RENGSTORFF
Dan Robertson
COMMUNITY RESIDENT,
WAVERLY PARK
Van Shackelford
COMMUNITY LEADER,
NEW FRONTIER SENIOR COMMUNITY
Jamil Shaikh
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER,
OLD MOUNTAIN VIEW
Karin Stein
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER,
CUESTA PARK
Kathy Thibodeaux
COMMUNITY MEMBER,
WAVERLEY PARK
Archana Upadhyay
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER,
WAVERLY PARK
Rick Van Mell
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER,
CUESTA PARK
Merry Yen
FORMER MOUNTAIN VIEW DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE MEMBER, CUESTA PARK
COMMUNITY LEADERS
Stan Adermann
MVWSD Teacher,
OLD MOUNTAIN VIEW
Love Atkinson
COMMUNITY MEMBER, AMERICANA
Pamela Baird
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, MOUNTAIN VIEW HISTORICAL ASSOC., & VICE CHAIR, MOUNTAIN VIEW DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE,
MONTA LOMA
Elena Berman
COMMUNITY MEMBER, NORTH SHORELINE
Nimi Berman
COMMUNITY MEMBER, NORTH SHORELINE
Kathryn Carpenter
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER,
CUESTA PARK
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Note: Titles used for identification purposes only.
ABOUT PAUL
Paul Donahue grew up in Illinois watching his parents manage their small downtown clothing store. From this, he learned the value of hard work and the importance of a vibrant downtown.
He later went to Cornell University’s College of Engineering and, after graduating with a computer science degree, moved to an apartment in Mountain View to begin a career in microprocessor engineering.
He and his wife, who works in the Mountain View Whisman School District, later bought a home and raised two children who attended Mountain View public schools.
Drawing on his analytical skills, his engineering background, and decades of public service at both the city and county levels, Paul brings a balanced and practical perspective to complex challenges.
Whether supporting local businesses, enhancing city-owned public spaces, or planning responsibly for Mountain View's future, he remains dedicated to building a community that is welcoming, sustainable, and vibrant for generations to come.
See additional photos of Paul online >
