A unanimous vote by the San Carlos City Council has elevated Pranita Venkatesh, a Fiji-born American of Indian origin, to the post of mayor, marking a significant moment in the city’s civic history and in the growing political representation of the Indian diaspora in the United States.
According to a report by India Today, San Carlos, a city of nearly 28,000 people in California’s San Mateo County near Silicon Valley, is widely known as the “City of Good Living". Venkatesh was sworn in as mayor on December 8, becoming one of the youngest leaders to hold the office and among the city’s first mayors of South Asian heritage. Her victory adds to a recent series of electoral successes by Indian-origin leaders across the US, following Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral win in New York.
Originally born in Fiji to Indian parents, Venkatesh moved to the United States at the age of four and grew up largely in California, according to The American Bazaar. She entered municipal politics in 2022 after being elected to the San Carlos City Council with the endorsement of the San Mateo Democratic Party.
Before that, she served for three years on the city’s Economic Development Advisory Commission, contributing to initiatives focused on economic growth and supporting small businesses, as reported by India Today.
Venkatesh’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame de Namur University and a master’s degree in early childhood and clinical psychology. Her professional experience spans work as a child psychologist in East Palo Alto, a role in the private sector as a buyer at Macy’s, and entrepreneurship. She currently runs a Montessori preschool in San Carlos, reported the American South Asian Network.
Her campaign focused on economic security and social well-being. Outlining her agenda, Venkatesh told Scoot Scoop, "My priorities for San Carlos are public safety, childcare, economic stability, infrastructure, and affordable housing," India Today has quoted.
Following her swearing-in, she said her approach to leadership would centre on responsiveness and inclusion, expressing a desire to "bridge community needs with effective municipal governance". Emphasising the city’s diversity, she highlighted the role of community organisations and inclusive policies, saying, "It's a time to appreciate your own heritage and respect others', while highlighting the positive impact our cultures have had globally.," as quoted by India Today.
Her election has been warmly received by members of the Indian and Fijian diaspora. The Fiji Trade Commission in North America described the result as a reflection of the growing role diaspora communities play in shaping civic leadership in the United States.