BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
A city parks commission member has raised $82,307 to run for Palo Alto City Council — a record total at this point in the race.
Commissioner Yudy Deng has brought in more than most candidates get by Election Day, with another four months of fundraising to report.
Deng is relying more on out-of-town support than her opponent, with 15 of her 39 donations from Palo Alto.
City Planning Commission member Bryna Chang raised $17,109 through June 30, with 26 of 28 donations from Palo Alto.
Deng and Chang are running against Mayor Vicki Veenker and Councilman Ed Lauing for three seats. Councilwoman Julie Lythcott-Haims isn’t seeking reelection.
Veenker hasn’t reported any fundraising in the latest reporting cycle, which ended on June 30. Lauing reported a $25 loan to himself as his only fundraising.
Deng received the maximum $5,900 donation from the Asian American Civic Leadership Committee, EntelechyAI CEO Jenny Zhao, X Diamond CEO Jian Guan, Los Altos consultant Wei Chen, Mountain View author Jia Jiang, General Mortgage Capital Corporation owner Mincheng Jin and two restaurants: Mian Sichuan Noodles and Taste.
State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who is running for lieutenant governor, gave Deng $2,000, campaign finance forms show.
Past top fundraisers
Deng has surpassed past fundraising leaders. For comparison, Councilman George Lu raised $49,958 through Sept. 21 in the last election, and Lythcott-Haims raised $69,561 through Sept. 24, 2022. Former Councilman Greg Tanaka raised $88,139 in 2020, including a $20,000 loan, and former Councilman Cory Wolbach raised $63,239 before the 2018 election. Deng said her goal on council is to find common ground.
“I believe leadership means bringing people together, listening with respect and creating opportunities for collaboration rather than conflict,” she said on her website.
Council appointed Deng to the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2024 after she came up short in a council vote for the commission the year before.
Deng is endorsed by Lu, former Mayor Judy Kleinberg and Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga.
Chang’s supporters
Councilmen Pat Burt and Keith Reckdahl, former Mayor Lydia Kou, and school board member Shana Segal have endorsed Chang.
Chang is getting fundraising support from Palo Alto’s Residentialists, a faction that’s prioritized slower growth and preserving neighborhoods.
Chang’s donors include former Mayor Eric Filseth ($999), Terry Holzemer ($200) and Andie Reed ($206), who have all pushed back on developments in Palo Alto.
Backed by her peers
Council first appointed Chang to the Planning and Transportation Commission in March 2021. She was re-appointed unanimously in April and picked as the commission’s chair. Her fellow commissioners Allen Akin and Todd James have donated to her campaign.
Chang said her priorities include turning plans into results, investing in quality of life and leading on sustainability issues.
“I believe good governance starts with listening carefully, weighing tradeoffs honestly and being transparent about decisions,” she said on her website.
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