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.
Housing
Economy
Environment
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.
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.
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. Paul will bring this regional land use perspective to the City Council.
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.
Downtown Committee
Paul grew up with parents who ran a clothing store on their town's main street, so he 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.
Environmental Planning Commission
Paul helped update zoning regulations and eliminate burdensome permits to make it easier for businesses to open and thrive. Paul will continue to work to revitalize our downtown, support small businesses, and keep Mountain View vibrant and thriving.
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.
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. Paul 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.
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.
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.
City Service:
-
Cuesta Park Neighborhood Association – Served as founding president, getting this community-based organization off the ground and building neighborhood cohesion.
-
Parks & Recreation Commission – Advocated for trails, green spaces, and public gathering places that serve as the community's backyard.
-
Downtown Committee – Championed small, locally owned businesses much like the one his parents ran decades earlier.
-
Library Board – Set policy for the library not just as a building full of books, but as a vital center for lifelong learning and community connection.
-
Environmental Planning Commission – Consistently kept the focus on the people of Mountain View, recognizing that land use decisions have real consequences for real residents.
Regional Service:
-
Graduate of Santa Clara County's Government Academy
-
Airport Land Use Commission – Has served for 12 years on this county body, which ensures that development near airports is compatible with the unique safety risks and noise challenges those areas present. This work has given Paul a broad, regional lens through which he views local planning and land use decisions.
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.