Mayor Robert Newsom Jr. nominated Deputy Mayor Adam Lorraine to be San Mateo’s next mayor, and the council carried the nomination 5–0 after a second and roll-call vote. Lorraine then nominated Council Member Nicole Fernandez as deputy mayor; that motion also passed unanimously.

The results followed a brief staff presentation on the council’s reorganization process. City Clerk Martin McTaggart cited City Charter section 2.09 and explained the council’s customary rotational sequence for selecting mayor and deputy mayor, noting the rotation is a guideline that a majority could alter.

Outgoing Mayor Newsom received a formal commendatory resolution read by Deputy Mayor Lorraine recognizing his 2025 mayoral year and citing his work on housing, public safety, international exchanges and the ribbon cutting of the upgraded wastewater treatment plant. In accepting the gavel, Lorraine thanked council colleagues, staff and family and said his priorities will include steady capital investment, climate adaptation planning and implementation of General Plan 2040.

"This upgrade ensures clean water, environmental stewardship, and system reliability today and for decades to come," Lorraine said in reference to the recently completed wastewater project, which he described in his remarks as a $597,000,000 upgrade and part of a nearly $1,000,000,000 10-year clean-water program.

The council concluded its reorganization and adjourned to a post-meeting reception.

What happens next: Mayor Lorraine said the administration will continue implementing capital projects and begin work on a climate adaptation plan and General Plan 2040 action steps in the coming year.