BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES,
DELIVERING RESULTS
San Leandro, we've made meaningful progress, but there is still important work ahead.
I will continue working to ensure San Leandro is a city where:
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Residents can afford their future.
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Neighborhoods are safe, clean, and connected.
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Small businesses and entrepreneurs can thrive.
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Infrastructure keeps pace with our community's needs.
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Housing is within reach for most people.
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Children, families, and seniors have the resources they need to succeed.
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Government is transparent, fiscally responsible, and accountable to the people that it serves.
MEET XOUHOA
I'm a mom of 3 wonderful kids, a refugee from Laos, a person with a disability, a nonprofit executive, a community organizer, a relentless optimist, and the first Asian woman to be elected to the San Leandro City Council.
My parents brought my sister and me to America with hope, determination, and the belief that if they worked hard, their children would have opportunities they had never had. I learned that access to opportunity is what empowers a person to reach their fullest potential, and that every one of us can be the difference in making that a reality.
That belief shaped my life.
It led me to earn my BA in International affairs and psychology from Marquette University, a Master's in Business Administration from Norwich University, and executive certificates from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and Harvard Kennedy School of Public Policy. It inspired a career that includes serving in the Peace Corps, teaching citizenship classes in Milwaukee and English in Kyrgyzstan and South Korea, founding a nonprofit to empower women and their families, helping businesses grow, and strengthening communities through volunteerism and coalition building.
When I first ran for City Council, it wasn't because I saw politics as a career. I ran because I knew I could make things better for real people in real ways. I ran because I wanted to help ensure that every family has the opportunity to build a good life and that decisions are made that reflect our diverse and rich community.
Over the past four years, I've led with integrity, listened before making decisions, and focused on residents and what matters most to residents: safe neighborhoods, housing people can afford, a strong local economy, reliable infrastructure, quality public services, childcare and youth programming, and a City Hall that is transparent, fiscally responsible, and accountable.
I know that different life experiences strengthen leadership. I'm proud to help ensure our government reflects and centers the people it serves while bringing people together around the values we share -- opportunity, belonging, forward progress, and a commitment to future generations.
MY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Improving quality of life🩵
A great city is measured by how it feels to live here every day.
What I've done...
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Made quality of life a central focus of my work on the City Council.
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Advanced San Leandro's participation in the CalTrans Clean California initiative to improve neighborhood beautification, reduce litter, and create cleaner public spaces.
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Supported investments in parks, libraries, youth programs, summer camps, and public spaces that strengthen our community.
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Worked with residents to address neighborhood concerns like traffic, blight, illegal dumping, and improve city responsiveness.
Why it matters: Clean, safe neighborhoods and robust city services strengthen community pride and increase community health and economic development.
Protecting our environment🍃
Protecting our environment means reducing waste, preparing for climate challenges, and building a healthier future for generations to come.
What I've done...
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Advanced policies that reduce waste, strengthen climate resilience, and prepare San Leandro for the future.
Introduced referrals to reduce single-use food packaging, encourage reuse, and explore home hardening strategies to help protect neighborhoods from wildfire risks.
Supported efforts to improve neighborhood cleanliness, reduce litter, and expand sustainability initiatives.
Advocated for thoughtful planning around emerging technologies, including evaluating the environmental impacts of AI data centers on our water, energy use, and infrastructure.
Why it matters: Addressing climate change impacts helps to safeguard public health, ensure long-term community resilience, and address environmental inequities.
Growing a strong local economy💵
Supporting local businesses creates jobs, strengthens neighborhoods, and keeps our local economy growing.
What I've done...
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Advocated for making economic development one of the City's top priorities.
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Helped integrate childcare into San Leandro's economic development strategy because families and employers both benefit from accessible childcare.
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Supported public safety and revitalization efforts that strengthen commercial corridors and attract investment.
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Worked with regional agencies to bring funding and economic opportunities to San Leandro.
Why it matters: A strong local economy means more opportunity, more jobs, and better city services..
Investing in infrastructure🏙️
Investing today saves money tomorrow and keeps our community safe.
What I've done...
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Advanced the MacArthur Boulevard/Superior Avenue Roundabout to improve safety for everyone using the corridor.
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Supported Safe Routes to School improvements and neighborhood traffic calming.
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Voted for investments in streets, sidewalks, transportation, and stormwater infrastructure.
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Advocated for securing transportation funding through my regional leadership.
Why it matters: Reliable infrastructure improves safety, reduces future costs, and keeps San Leandro moving.
Keeping our community safe🚨
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood.
What I've done...
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Supported investments in police, fire, and emergency preparedness.
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Backed traffic safety improvements to reduce collisions.
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Worked to improve neighborhood conditions by addressing blight and quality-of-life concerns.
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Supported balanced public safety strategies that combine prevention, enforcement, and community partnerships including the Alternative Response Unit and increased mental health services.
Why it matters: Public safety is about protecting people while building stronger, healthier neighborhoods.
Addressing housing and homelessness🏠
Every resident deserves the opportunity to live in a safe, stable home.
What I've done...
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Supported stronger renter protections and rent stabilization to help prevent displacement along with guardrails to ensure efficacy and accountability.
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Voted to expand affordable housing opportunities and remove barriers to housing production.
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Supported investments in homelessness prevention, outreach, and San Leandro's first supportive housing center.
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Worked to balance neighborhood stability with responsible housing growth.
Why it matters: Addressing housing affordability helps families stay in San Leandro while reducing homelessness over time.
Governing with integrity📝
Government does best when it listens, plans for the future, and earns the public's trust.
What I've done...
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Asked tough questions before major spending and development decisions.
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Championed transparency, fiscal responsibility, and meaningful community engaement.
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Called for thoughtful policies around AI data centers that ensure transparency and mitigations for adverse harm to our environment, infrastructure, water supply, neighborhoods, and quality of life before approval of projects.
Why it matters: Residents deserve leaders who make informed decisions - not rushed ones.
LEADERSHIP THAT DELIVERS
BEYOND CITY HALL
Effective leadership means making sure San Leandro has a voice wherever decisions affecting our community are made.In addition to serving as your Councilmember and Vice Mayor, I’ve earned the trust of my colleagues to represent San Leandro in leadership roles across Alameda County, the state, and the nation. These roles allow me to advocate for policies, partnerships, and funding that improve everyday life here at home.
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
As President of the Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO) and a member of the Human Development Policy Committee with the National League of Cities, I work with local leaders from across the country to advance policies that strengthen families, expand economic opportunity, support immigrant communities, improve childcare, and ensure local governments have the tools they need to serve residents.
As First Vice President of the East Bay Division of the League of California Cities, I collaborate with local leaders throughout the East Bay to advocate for legislation and funding that supports housing, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development for our region.
As Supervisor Tam’s representative on the Alameda County Transportation Commission, I advocate for safer streets, improved transit, and transportation investments that connect our community and improve mobility for everyone.
As First Vice President of StopWaste, I help shape countywide policies that reduce food waste, improve recycling and composting programs, support climate resilience, and advance a more sustainable future—while helping residents and businesses save resources and reduce waste.
WHY IT MATTERS
Whether I’m working on transportation, environmental sustainability, housing, economic development, or local government policy, my focus is always the same: How do these decisions improve the everyday lives of the people who call San Leandro home? These leadership roles aren’t about titles. They’re about ensuring San Leandro has a respected voice, strong partnerships, and a seat at the table when important decisions are being made.
ENDORSEMENTS
Titles are for reference only.
James Aguilar
San Leandro Councilmember
Dylan Boldt
San Leandro Councilmember
Sbeydeh Viveros-Walton
San Leandro Vice Mayor
Zachary Borja
SLUSD School Board Clerk
Jackie Perl
SLUSD School Board President
Peter Oshinski
SLUSD School Board Trustee
Bob Bailey
San Leandro Community Police Review Board Chair
Rob Rich
San Leandro Planning Commr.
Sarah Bailey
San Leandro Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission
Raj Salwan
Fremont Mayor
Adena Ishii
Berkeley Mayor
Kashef Qaadri
Dublin Councilmember
Paul Seo
Rancho Palo Verdes Mayor
Pauline Cutter
San Leandro Mayor Emeritus
Deborah Cox
Fmr. San Leandro Councilmember
Pete Ballew
Fmr. San Leandro Councilmember
Lee Thomas
Fmr. San Leandro Councilmember
Michael Gregory
Fmr. San Leandro Councilmember
Elisa Marquez
Alameda County Supervisor
Lena Tam
Alameda County Supervisor
Liz Ortega
State Assemblymember
Aisha Knowles
ACOE Board Member
Phong La
Alameda County Assessor
David Chiu
San Francisco City Attorney
Betty Yee
Fmr. California State Controller
Manufou Liaiga-Anoa'i
Fmr. Jefferson Elementary School District Trustee
Dr. Karen Korematsu
Founder of the Fred T. Korematsu Institute
Gene Kim
San Mateo-Foster City School District Trustee
Genm
Gabriel Quinto
El Cerrito Mayor, CalCities President
Mark Salinas
Hayward Mayor
Kerry Ellis
Moraga Mayor
Tracy Jensen
Alameda Councilmember
Alex Walker Griffin
Hercules Councilmember
Latika Malkani
Orinda Councilmember
Belle La
Pleasant Hill Councilmember
Holly Tillman
Clayton Councilmember
Shannon Shaw
Oakley Councilmember
Anissa Williams
Oakley Councilmember
Mark Palido
Cerritos Councilmember
Frank Aurelio Yokohama
Cerritos Councilmember
Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County
GET INVOLVED
This campaign has always been powered by neighbors, families, small business owners, and community members who believe in a more connected, more responsive, and more opportunity-filled San Leandro.
Whether you volunteer, host a neighborhood gathering, display a yard sign, or make a contribution, you're helping build a better community and City. I'd be honored to earn your support.
JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN TODAY.