[VT | August 9, 2025] Yan Zhao today announced that she has officially filed with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters and will appear on the ballot for the November 4, 2025, special election for County Assessor—a key position responsible for property valuation and establishing the property tax base that funds vital public services.
As a two-term Saratoga City Councilmember and twice-elected Mayor, Zhao brings her proven local governance experience to the county level. She pledges to infuse the Assessor’s Office with a “technology-driven, transparent, and taxpayer-friendly” approach. Her years of service and deep community ties have laid a strong grassroots foundation for this campaign.
Zhao’s background aligns closely with the responsibilities of the role. She holds engineering degrees from UC Berkeley and Santa Clara University and has over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor and high-tech industries. In addition, she is a licensed residential appraiser (listed in the national and state appraiser registries) and has completed extensive training in property tax assessment. These credentials position her to step into the Assessor’s Office with both the technical expertise and professional readiness required.
In her platform, Zhao has vowed to “bring the office into the 21st century”—modernizing assessment and data systems, improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer service and transparency, and reducing delays and friction in taxpayer appeals. Her campaign site outlines a technology-centered reform plan that seeks to maintain accuracy while increasing speed and transparency.
Her campaign is also in the midst of a fundraising drive. According to the campaign, only $19,200 remains to reach this month’s fundraising goal. Reaching that milestone quickly, Zhao says, would allow her team to focus more time on direct voter engagement and sharing her reform vision. The campaign has scheduled multiple fundraising and volunteer events throughout the county.
Zhao’s candidacy has already drawn high-profile support. California State Senator Dave Cortese (District 15) has praised her leadership and dedication to public service, noting her proven record and potential to make county government more innovative and accountable. Such endorsements have boosted her visibility and credibility in the race.
The role of County Assessor is central to funding schools, public safety, and infrastructure, as it controls the county’s property tax base and influences budget allocations. Compared to leading a single city, the Assessor holds broader policy influence over the entire county. Zhao’s move from Mayor to candidate for County Assessor is widely viewed as a “lateral and upward” step—an opportunity to apply her expertise in technology and community governance on a larger, countywide stage. Local media have described the special election as one that could reshape Santa Clara County’s fiscal and housing landscape.
“This campaign is about bringing technology and integrity to the Assessor’s Office, ensuring fair and accurate property valuations, and safeguarding every tax dollar for our families and schools,” Zhao said. If elected, she has pledged to begin system evaluations and modernization efforts from day one, prioritizing improvements in appeals handling and service speed.
The campaign has announced a schedule of community events and fundraising gatherings in the coming weeks, alongside expanded volunteer recruitment efforts. Donations and volunteer sign-ups are available through the campaign’s website and social media channels.
Campaign website: https://www.yan4assessor.com
Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/yan4assessor
About Santa Clara County and the City of Saratoga
Santa Clara County, located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in California, is the heart of Silicon Valley. It encompasses 15 incorporated cities, including San José, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy. Home to the headquarters of global tech giants such as Apple, Google, and NVIDIA, the county is a world center of innovation. Its county seat, San José, is the largest city in the Bay Area. With a population of over 1.9 million, Santa Clara County is one of the most diverse and economically dynamic regions in the United States.
The City of Saratoga, located at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains in southwestern Silicon Valley, is renowned for its high-quality residential neighborhoods, excellent public schools, safe community, and local wineries. With a population of around 30,000, Saratoga is home to many tech executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Its residents enjoy a high standard of living, with median household incomes and education levels well above the national average. Saratoga has repeatedly been ranked among the most affluent and desirable small cities in the country.
