San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has tapped longtime city employee Sarah Zarate to become his new chief of staff.
The role recently became vacant after Jim Reed, who held the post for more than a decade under two mayors, announced his departure to lead a statewide policy initiative on behalf of Mahan.
Zarate, who has worked in the city manager’s office for the past seven years, transitioned to her new role Monday. She is taking the helm at the mayor’s office at the start of a busy political year for San Jose. In addition to five City Council races, the mayor’s office will also need to contend with deepening fiscal challenges that have set the stage for contentious budget deliberations in the months ahead.
“San Jose is my home. It’s where I work, my family lives and my kids go to school — I am committed to working every day to make it the best it can be,” Zarate told San José Spotlight. “Mayor Mahan’s vision for this city is bold and I believe my expertise will help execute it even as we enter a tough budget cycle. I’m looking forward to joining and helping lead his incredible team.”
Mahan announced Zarate’s appointment earlier this week in a LinkedIn post.
“I’m looking forward to working in partnership with her at this critical juncture for San Jose,” Mahan wrote. “The data shows our approaches have been working — and I know Sarah will help our progress continue and expand even as we face a difficult budget year.”
Zarate has held several leadership roles in San Jose’s government, including a four-year stint directing the Office of Administration, Policy and Intergovernmental Relations. Her work for the city has touched on a wide variety of policy issues, including reducing gun harm, addressing homelessness and blight, reining in wage theft and preventing domestic violence, according to city officials.
Before arriving in San Jose, Zarate worked for several years in Milwaukee city government, where she directed the city’s Public Health Office of Policy, Strategy and Analysis.
Reed, who announced his departure in December, has already transitioned into his new role leading a political organization known as Back to Basics. The 501c4 group aims to build a statewide coalition in support of Mahan’s policy agenda focused on cost of living issues, housing, homelessness and public safety, Reed said.
The longtime City Hall insider also offered praise for his successor as mayoral chief of staff.
“(Zarate) knows how City Hall operates and has great relationships,” Reed told San José Spotlight. “I’m confident that she’ll take the office to higher levels of effectiveness and performance.”
Contact Keith Menconi at [email protected] or @KeithMenconi on X.