As it does every January, Sunnyvale swore in a new vice mayor, with Councilmember Richard Mehlinger replacing Linda Sell in the role this year.
“It’s been a pleasure working with you for the past three years … you’ve shown compassion, you’ve shown an effort to make our community a little bit better,” said Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein to Mehlinger at Tuesday’s meeting. “I look forward to the partnership.”
Selected by the Sunnyvale City Council from within its ranks to serve a one year term, the vice mayor runs closed session meetings and study sessions, and in the absence of the mayor takes on the those duties. During a meeting on Jan. 13, the City Council selected Mehlinger, who was the sole candidate, nominated by Sell, the outgoing vice mayor who stepped down from the position.
Mehlinger was elected to the City Council in 2022, when he became only the second openly queer councilmember elected to Sunnyvale City Council. His term expires this year. Prior to his election, he served as Chair of Livable Sunnyvale – which advocates for sustainability, bicycle access and housing – and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. More recently, Mehlinger was notoriously the subject of a series of insult- and expletive-laden texts from the campaign of Rishi Kumar.
Public officials and residents described Mehlinger as a sincere and collaborative leader who listened to groups throughout the community in their remarks.
“Over the years, Richard has shown a consistency and genuine commitment to the people in his district,” said Sunnyvale resident Valerie Suares.”He approaches difficult issues with both conviction and fairness.”
Mehlinger acknowledged that despite his position as a local official, his oath of office took place as “the highest office holders … publicly flouted their oaths,” pointing to the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti as prime examples.
“I want to thank my colleagues for putting their faith in me … That oath is a heavy thing,” said Mehlinger. “It means we’re to work to build just, peaceful, secure, prosperous, free communities … I cannot imagine a group of people I would rather face them with, nor a better place to do so than right here in Sunnyvale. Thank you all, let’s get to work.”
Mehlinger’s appointment is effective as of Jan. 13 and will last until the first meeting of 2027.
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