In a historic move for California’s Silicon Valley, 28-year-old Indian-origin psychologist Pranita Venkatesh was sworn in as the youngest-ever Mayor of San Carlos.
Venkatesh, who previously served as the city’s Vice Mayor, was unanimously selected by her council colleagues to lead the municipality of approximately 30,000 residents. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the Indian diaspora, as she becomes the first woman of South Asian descent to hold the highest local office in the “City of Good Living”.
Originally elected to the City Council in November 2022 after securing the highest number of votes in that cycle, Venkatesh has prioritised mental health advocacy, affordable housing, and sustainable urban development. A licensed psychologist by profession, she has utilised her clinical background to spearhead community wellness initiatives and youth engagement programmes. Venkatesh, a member of the Indo-Fiji diaspora, was unanimously sworn in as mayor. Born in Fiji to Indian parents, she moved to California at age four and has lived in San Carlos with her husband and two children since 2009.
During her inauguration, she pledged to bridge the generational gap in local politics and address the rising cost of living in San Mateo County. Her one-year term as Mayor will run through December 2026, during which she aims to implement new climate action strategies and improve transit infrastructure across the peninsula.
