November 2026 Endorsement Application for Candidates

The San Mateo County Democratic Party (SMCDems) invites Democrats running for city council, school district office, community college board, or open space district in San Mateo County to apply for the Democratic Party endorsement for the November 2026 election. SMCDems will also consider endorsements for ballot measures. 

Candidate Endorsements

The requirements for endorsement are:

1. Be a registered Democrat. To make sure, check here.

2. Take the Fossil Fuel Pledge , that is included in the application process.

Here is the endorsement schedule:

• 8/6 Candidate Endorsement Training

• 8/17 Candidate applications due

• 8/29 - 30 Candidate interviews

• 9/3 Candidate and ballot measure endorsement decisions made 

Candidate Applications:

The SMCDems application is here.  Please do not send additional documents, resumes, flyers or endorsement letters.

Applications are due on Monday, August 17th at 11:59 PM.  .

Eligible applicants will be scheduled for an interview on August 29th or August 30th from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Please keep these dates open for your interview. 

To find out more about the SMCDems endorsement process:

• Review the Endorsement Process document. 

• Register for candidate training on Thursday August 6th at 6 PM here.  

Ballot Measure Endorsements

SMCDems will consider endorsing all local ballot measures.  If you want our endorsement or don’t want our endorsement, contact the [email protected].

It is our job to recruit, mentor, support, and elect good Democrats. We take great pride in the large numbers of our endorsed candidates that are elected and measures passed. In addition, we like to get to know and build relationships with the people who  serve in these important elected positions. It is the backbone of why we exist as a county Democratic Party.

If you have any questions during this process, please contact the Endorsements Committee leadership:

Karen Maki, SMCDCC Chair: [email protected]