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Four candidates have qualified for the four Atherton City Council seats on the November ballot, which has three four-year terms and one two-year term up for grabs.
Christine David, who ran unsuccessfully for Atherton City Council in 2020, and Planning Commissioner Jerry Leugers both qualified to run for four-year terms. Incumbents Rick DeGolia and Bill Widmer are also seeking reelection.
Mayor Stacy Holland, whose term ends this year, did not file for reelection. She previously said she might not run again due to the birth of her daughter.
A two-year term ending in January 2029 is also up for grabs following Councilmember Diana Hawkins-Manuelian’s resignation. Widmer chose to file for the shorter term rather than a four-year term.
Then-Planning Commissioner Eric Lane was appointed to fill Hawkins-Manuelian’s seat until the 2026 election. Lane has not filed to run for election.
If no additional candidates have filed by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, the election could be canceled and the candidates appointed to the seats. The City Council called a special meeting at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 18, to decide whether to hold the election, to allow for write-in candidates.
Christine David
David ran for election in 2020 but came in last in a four-person contest for two seats. In her 2026 candidate statement, she encouraged town residents to become involved in local politics and follow current issues. In 2020, she told The Almanac that she was concerned about the state overriding local planning decisions and supported the now completed Caltrain quiet zone project.
David previously served on the Parks and Recreation Committee but resigned in 2019 in protest of the City Council’s decision to remove an off-leash dog area at Holbrook Palmer Park from the town’s master plan.
David described her occupation as nonprofit leader and is currently chair of the board of the nonprofit Friends of Atherton Library.
Jerry Leugers
Leugers is a planning commissioner and chair of the town’s Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee.
In his candidate statement, Leugers said he is running for City Council to prevent state housing mandates from changing the town and ensure sound fiscal management.
“I do not enter the city council race with an agenda other than I want to maintain the character of the town in the face of the increasing state legislation that overrides our own zoning laws,” he wrote.
Leugers said that in preparation for running for election, he has attended all Atherton City Council meetings in the past year and attended committee meetings so he could better understand town operations.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated after Atherton announced it will hold a special meeting on Aug. 18 to discuss the election.
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