Pete Dailey, a Los Altos city councilmember, is running for the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board District 7 seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The nonpartisan race also includes incumbent Rebecca Eisenberg. District 7 includes Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos and other western Santa Clara County communities.

The Water District Board is the elected governing body that sets policy for the district's water supply, flood protection and watershed stewardship. The Santa Clara Valley Water Commission is a separate appointed body. Dailey serves on the Water Commission, which advises the elected board.

Asked why he is running, Dailey said in the Surround Sound News questionnaire: "I'm dedicated to the three-part mission of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. 1. Protecting our water supply 2. Protecting our residents from flooding 3. Stewardship in the watershed."

Candidate information

Occupation and work history: "I'm currently on the City Council of the City of Los Altos. I retired from the tech industry 12 years ago to spend more time with my kids and to volunteer in the community."

Education: "I have a BA from UC Berkeley. I have a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine, and a Master of Liberal Arts from Stanford."

Family: "I'm a single dad of two young adults. My oldest is at Foothill Community College, and my younger child is a Senior at Mountain View High School."

Party affiliation: Dailey identifies as a Democrat. He told Surround Sound News he is endorsed by the Santa Clara County Democratic Party and is an elected California Democratic Party delegate representing Assembly District 23.

Endorsement: The South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council listed Dailey as its sole endorsement for the District 7 seat.

Experience and public service

According to his campaign website, Dailey founded a broadband company overseas and is a member of the Rotary Club of Los Altos.

Previous and current offices: Dailey told Surround Sound News: "I am on the Los Altos City Council, elected at large in 2022. I served as Mayor in 2025. I also serve on the Santa Clara Valley Water Commission, and have since 2022. I was chair of the water commission in 2025. I have served 4 years on the North County Library Association JPA. I serve on the Santa Clara County Emergency Operations Area Council and several other appointed bodies."

Past accomplishments: Dailey told Surround Sound News he helped advance zoning changes and other programs required by Los Altos' housing plan during his mayoral term. Los Altos appears on the state's list of Prohousing-designated jurisdictions.

On the issues

Most significant challenge: "Flood protection is the most significant challenge," Dailey told Surround Sound News. He also cited difficulties coordinating major infrastructure projects across agencies.

Priority investments: "The biggest priority within area 7 of the District has to be flood protection on Reach 2 of San Francisquito Creek. The Water district, along with the City of Palo Alto, City of Menlo Park, and counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo have to chip in for this project."

This profile draws primarily on Dailey's responses to a Surround Sound News questionnaire received Oct. 1, 2026.