Vicki Venker was unanimously elected mayor of Palo Alto on Jan. 5, 2026, and was sworn in during a brief ceremony at the start of the council’s annual organizational meeting. The council conducted a roll-call vote after a formal nomination and carried the motion unanimously.

Venker used her first remarks as mayor to identify three priorities for the year: getting Project Homekey operational as transitional housing, accelerating an RFP for affordable senior housing on the city-owned parking lot behind Avenidas, and securing the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) pro-housing designation to improve eligibility for housing funding. “Project Homekey is nearing the finish line…this transitional housing for our unhoused neighbors will have on-site supportive services with the capacity to serve over 200 individuals annually,” Venker said.

Venker also emphasized continued climate leadership, telling the council she plans to work with Stanford University to convene a conference on sustainable data centers and explore model ordinances and best practices. On community infrastructure, she urged the council to press ahead with a resident-driven, right-sized proposal for revitalizing the Cubberley Community Center and to prepare the financial groundwork for a November ballot measure if needed.

Council members who spoke after the vote praised Venker’s regional leadership and experience on committees. Before the vote, council rules for nominations were read aloud: nominations require no second, and with all seven members present a candidate needs four votes to be appointed.

The council’s ceremonial swearing-in for the new mayor was administered by Mary Hughes, during which Venker recited the oath to support the U.S. and California constitutions and the Charter of the City of Palo Alto. Venker closed her remarks by urging the council to pursue housing, climate and Cubberley milestones in 2026.

The meeting proceeded with the election of the vice mayor and adoption of a resolution honoring outgoing Mayor Ed Lowing.