Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano has announced that she is running for California Senate District 10.
District 10 covers Milpitas, Hayward, Fremont, Newark, Union City, parts of Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, and part of North San Jose. Montano will square off in the race against incumbent Aisha Wahab, a fellow Democrat whose policy positions are generally to the left of Montano’s. Thus far, no other candidates have announced that they are running.
Upon announcing her bid, Montano said in a statement, “Our families deserve common-sense representation in Sacramento. Too much partisan politics are strangling progress in our state. We need strong leaders who can work with all legislators to find common ground and deliver solutions that truly serve our communities.”
Former Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves was quick to lend his support to Montano’s campaign, saying, “Carmen Montano has always cared about her community. As my Vice Mayor she worked hard and initiated many ideas that improved the quality of life for our residents. Carmen will make an excellent Senator representing the people of District 10.”
Montano brings 20-plus years of experience as an elected official to the race, having begun as a Milpitas Unified School Board District (MUSD) trustee before going to serve on the Milpitas City Council, where she has been a councilmember, vice mayor, and now mayor.
She runs this race on an assortment of accomplishments from her years as a Milpitas City leader, from securing on-demand shuttle services for our residents to initiating Milpitas’ first Arts Ordinance to renovating 15 city parks. Montano also launched the “Beautify Milpitas” effort, a way of keeping the city clean and visually appealing, and has long ensured the flow of needed resources toward our police and fire departments.
While running for State Senate, Montano is prioritizing Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Education, and Insurance – namely exploring ways of allowing home insurance premiums to become tax deductions.
Said Montano, “Right now, our two-party system is broken. Both parties are often too extreme or out of touch with everyday needs. The middle class is struggling more than ever. We need leaders willing to work in the middle to find solutions that benefit everyone.”
Modernizing mental health treatment facilities, upholding small businesses, and promoting law and order also rank high among Montano’s goals.
“I will work every day,” said Mayor Montano, “to bring results that benefit society as a whole.”
Election Day will be on November 3, 2026.
Does she really? Between Aisha Wahab, who is Hindu phobic and Mayor Carmen, who doesnt bother to reply back to Milpitas residents: what a choice we have.. Ask Mayor Carmen- did she reply back to any of the residents that reached out for help – about the warehouse that San Jose is building across from multi-million dollar new townhomes. a 24*7 warehouse.