Meet Dana Yates Sahae, Candidate For San Mateo City Council

Dana Yates Sahae is vying for a seat on the San Mateo City Council representing District 5.

As county elections officials begin mailing ballots, voters will prepare to decide between candidates running for several offices, and Patch has put together local voter guides and candidate profiles.

Learn more about Dana Yates Sahae:

Age: 45

What is your educational background?

Local public schools, College of San Mateo

What is your professional background?

I began my career as a newspaper reporter, spending seven years covering San Mateo City Hall, public safety and local businesses. That experience gave me a deep understanding of local government and taught me how to ask tough questions, find answers and communicate complex issues clearly to the public. I later moved into nonprofit leadership, including managing Millbrae Community Television, where I worked with local government and the community to expand access to information. In addition to my professional career, I’ve spent years in community leadership, including serving as a PTA president and neighborhood advocate. Together, those experiences have given me a strong background in government, communications, nonprofit management and community engagement.

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

What are the top three issues facing your district/constituents right now?

Responsive & Accessible Representation Residents deserve a City Hall that listens, communicates and responds. I’ll be accessible to the people I represent, engage residents before major decisions are made and provide clear, transparent communication about what’s happening at City Hall — and why. Balanced Growth San Mateo will continue to grow, but growth must be thoughtful and responsible. I’ll work to ensure new development is supported by the infrastructure, transportation, public safety and city services our community needs — while protecting the character and quality of life of our neighborhoods. Balanced Budget A strong city starts with sound finances. I’ll prioritize fiscal responsibility, protect essential services and ask tough questions about how taxpayer dollars are spent. We need to address our structural budget challenges today so we aren’t forced to make painful cuts tomorrow.

What is one specific policy you would implement in your first 100 days?

In my first 100 days, I would propose a City Council Community Engagement Policy requiring earlier and more consistent public outreach on major projects and policy decisions. Too often, residents feel they learn about important decisions after the direction has already been set. I want clear standards for when and how neighborhoods are notified, opportunities for community input before key decisions are made, and better communication about how that input shaped the final outcome. Good government starts with listening early — not after decisions have already been made.

What is your plan to reduce homelessness, and how would you measure success after one year?

San Mateo should work closely with San Mateo County and our regional partners to connect people experiencing homelessness with shelter, mental health and substance-use treatment, supportive housing and other services that address the reasons they are unhoused. I would measure success by looking at how many people were connected to services, how many moved from the street into temporary or permanent housing, whether they remained housed, and whether we saw a measurable reduction in unsheltered homelessness in San Mateo.

What is one specific change you would make to improve public safety?

I would prioritize consistent enforcement of traffic laws that protect everyone using our roads. Residents regularly raise concerns about speeding, running red lights and stop signs, distracted driving and other dangerous behavior. We should use traffic data to identify problem areas and focus enforcement where violations and collisions are most frequent. The goal isn’t simply to write more tickets — it’s to change dangerous behavior, reduce collisions and make our streets safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

How would you improve transparency or accountability in local government?

Transparency and accountability start with showing up and listening. I will be present at neighborhood meetings, community events, schools and parks throughout District 5 — not just during election season. I’m already active in our community, and residents regularly approach me with questions, concerns and ideas. I also believe residents should be engaged early and often when important decisions are being made at City Hall — not after those decisions are nearly final. That means proactively sharing information, seeking community input and explaining how and why decisions are made. If elected, I’ll never forget that I’m there to represent the community’s voice. Being accessible, responsive and willing to answer tough questions is fundamental to accountable government.

Why are you a better choice than your opponents?

I bring a combination of deep roots in San Mateo, experience with local government and years of hands-on community involvement. As a former local newspaper reporter covering City Hall, I learned how our city works — and how to ask tough questions, demand clear answers and communicate those answers to the public. Since then, I’ve served as a nonprofit leader, PTA president and leader of our neighborhood association. I’m already out in the community, listening to residents and working on the issues that affect their daily lives. I’m prepared to bring that experience to City Hall with a pragmatic approach focused on balanced growth, fiscal responsibility and responsive, accessible representation. With me, voters get experience, knowledge and a truly accessible leader.

What changes, if any, would you support regarding the role of federal immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE, and how they interact with state and/or local governments?

I support San Mateo’s current approach. Our local government and law enforcement should be focused on keeping our community safe, not serving as an extension of federal immigration enforcement. I oppose immigration enforcement actions that unnecessarily disrupt families and create fear among hardworking members of our community — people who are our friends, neighbors, coworkers and parents of children in our schools. When residents are afraid to report a crime, speak with police or access essential services because of their immigration status, it can undermine trust and make the entire community less safe. Immigration policy is primarily a federal responsibility. At the local level, our responsibility is to protect public safety, follow the law and ensure every resident is treated with dignity and respect.

What role do you believe government should play in regulating or supporting the development and use of artificial intelligence?

Government has an important role in making sure artificial intelligence is used responsibly without standing in the way of innovation. Many of the larger questions around AI regulation need to be addressed at the state and federal levels, where consistent standards can be established around privacy, security and consumer protection. At the local level, I would focus on how our own city uses AI. We should embrace technology when it can improve services, increase efficiency and save taxpayer dollars, while maintaining strong safeguards for residents’ privacy and ensuring that important decisions remain accountable to people. AI is a powerful tool, but it should enhance good government and human decision-making — not replace them.