Nicole Fernandez (San Mateo City Council District 2, California, candidate 2024)

Nicole Fernandez

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, San Mateo City Council District 2

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

San José State University, 2005

Personal

Birthplace

San Mateo, Calif.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Government

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Nicole Fernandez ran for election to the San Mateo City Council District 2 in California. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

Fernandez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Nicole Fernandez provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 8, 2024:

• Birth place: San Mateo, California
• High school: Carlmont High School, Belmont, CA
• Bachelor's: San Jose State University, 2005
• Gender: Female
• Religion: Catholic
• Profession: Government
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign Instagram
• LinkedIn

Elections

General election

General election for San Mateo City Council District 2

Nicole Fernandez and Charles Hansen ran in the general election for San Mateo City Council District 2 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Nicole Fernandez (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Charles Hansen (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

To view Fernandez's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Fernandez in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Nicole Fernandez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Fernandez's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong resident of San Mateo County having been born at Mills Hospital and raised in Belmont. I bought

my first home in 2012 in what is now District 2. I am a career public servant, having previously worked for the late Assemblymember Ira Ruskin, Senator Jerry Hill, and currently for Senator Josh Becker. Fernandez also previously served her community working on elder

abuse prevention with San Mateo County Adult Protective Services. I also am currently serving on the Board of Directors for Samaritan House–the largest anti-poverty nonprofit in San Mateo County.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I would like to focus on traffic infrastructure and pedestrian safety in District 2.
• I would like to enhance public safety measures throughout District 2.
• I want to focus on preserving and protecting affordable housing in District 2 while building housing at all levels.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public safety, traffic and infrastructure, good governance, and housing.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

All politics is local, and city council is the office that has the most impact on our residents' day-to-day lives.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The American President.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, creativity, experience and vision.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Accountability, knowledge of the district and San Mateo, creating consensus, and delivery of results.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave San Mateo better than I found it. I am a lifelong San Mateo County resident that has seen us thrive and strive over many decades, and know this community intimately. I hope to use that knowledge and experience to improve the lives of residents.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Lovely Day by Bill Withers

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

There are many regional responsibilities of which residents may not be aware, including serving on the fire board, transportation agency board, Council of Cities, etc. that set policy and precedent for cities on the Peninsula working together.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, I do believe it is beneficial for holders of those office to have previous experience. I am a careerlong public servant, having worked for 4 members of the California State Legislature and San Mateo County's Adult Protective Services. I also served 8 years as a city commissioner. I know the legislative process and budgeting works at multiple levels of government, which benefits the city when we go for county, state or federal money.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I believe the person who holds this role should be thoughtful, considerate, a bridge builder, a listener, but decisive.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

Again, city government policy and processes affects our residents lives in many ways each and every day, closer than any other level of government.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

We need to increase financial transparency and government accountability. I am proud that San Mateo is one of the first cities with a campaign finance dashboard thanks to our forward thinking city clerk's office, but we can do more to ensure that city actions are known to our residents, including in-language meetings & documents, and diverse times for city meetings to accommodate working families.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

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Candidate

San Mateo City Council District 2

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