VOTE
RISHI KUMAR FOR
ASSESSOR
Election is on NOVEMBER 4, 2025
Voting Begins OCTOBER 6, 2025
Donate $11 via Venmo: @VoteRishi
Exempt Seniors from Property Taxes, Protect Prop 13
Vote No on Measure A: Reject the Sales Tax Increase
An Honor....
Dear neighbors,
It would be a privilege to represent you as your next County Assessor, working every day to serve our community with integrity and dedication.
I support a property tax exemption for all seniors: No one should lose their home to rising taxes. States* and Counties across the U.S. have already done it—why not Santa Clara County?
I’m a proven tax fighter: I’ve never supported a tax increase—and as a councilmember, I successfully fought rate hikes from San Jose Water Company and PG&E—the only one in this race to do so.
I stand for a fiscally moderate vision: Career politicians want to gut Prop 13 and raise your taxes — because for them, it’s never enough. But your home is not their piggy bank. I see it as your safe haven and I’ll fight to protect you.
I’m the only candidate opposing Measure A—the county’s sales tax hike.
In Saratoga, neighbors reelected me with the highest vote count in 70 years because they know that integrity and incorruptibility aren’t just words—they define me.
As your Assessor, I’ll modernize the office, fast-track backlogged appeals, and provide relief to the needy. I’ll conduct an audit to uncover waste, and implement customer-first strategies to better serve you.
With proven leadership in finance, operations, and IT modernization—and as the author of a book on Artificial Intelligence—I’m the only candidate ready to modernize the Assessor’s Office from day one.
This election is about trust. I’ve always stood up for the People — and I’m ready to bring that same fight to the Assessor’s Office. It’s a fight for our homes, our families, and our future.
Vote Rishi Kumar for County Assessor. It’s time to Exempt Seniors from Property Taxes and Protect Prop 13.
🗳Ballots will arrive in your mailbox on October 7 and I would be honored to have your vote.
👉 We’d love your input—take the survey here.
*Currently,16 states exempt seniors from a portion of their property taxes. Explore this growing movement yourself by asking your favorite AI engine: “Explain the senior property tax exemptions that are currently in place or proposed across the U.S.”
...
PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP
In 1978, California voters approved Proposition 8, giving counties the authority to temporarily reduce property tax assessments when real estate values decline. As your County Assessor, I would ensure these reductions are applied automatically whenever property values fall—so homeowners receive timely relief without having to fight through red tape.
Assessors have leeway in valuing homes, and it’s their job to keep up with fluctuating market prices.
- Rishi Kumar
As your Assessor, I’ll champion statewide legislation for senior property tax relief while maximizing every exemption and appeal available today.
Why should taxpayers bankroll wasteful public sector programs? End the waste and put money back where it belongs––with the people who need it most.
Click here for a detailed explanation.
– Rishi Kumar
Rishi Kumar has been elected to the following..
Two consecutive terms on the Saratoga City Council
Executive Board (multiple terms) to the California Democratic Party
Delegate (multiple terms) to the California Democratic Party
Board member (multiple terms) of the California Democratic Party API Caucus
Bernie DNC Delegate 2016
Biden DNC Delegate 2024
Central Committee Delegate, Santa Clara County Democratic Party
Appointed to the following..
Governor’s University of California Regents committee
California Department of Education’s K-12 public school computer science curriculum implementation panel – the curriculum is now live for every public school child
Bay Area Indian American Democratic Club, President
NLC Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials APAMO Board member
Director – CA League of Cities API Caucus
Member National League of Cities, Energy and Environmental Resources Committee
League of CA Cities Employee Relations Policy Committee
League of CA Cities Administrative Policy Committee
Commissions and Boards
Santa Clara Valley Water Commission
Santa Clara County Library District Board of Directors
West Valley Clean Water Program Authority Board of Directors
West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board of Directors
Saratoga Ministerial Association
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce
You are Electing a Reformer!
Vote for Rishi Kumar by November 4th
I’m a mechanical engineer by education with a proven hi-tech record leading P&L, finance, operations, and IT modernization. I’ve authored a book on Artificial Intelligence, and I have received many technical certifications through the course of my career.
The Board of Equalization (BOE) is responsible for certifying persons engaged in performing the duties of an appraiser or an assessment analyst for property tax purposes. The Assessor’s Office already employs many certified appraisers, and the elected Assessor has a full year to earn certification through the BOE. The only valid certification for this role is from the BOE – not a real estate appraiser’s license.
But let me state this: this job isn’t about electing someone to do property appraisals—it’s much more than that. It’s about leading a $43 million agency with a team of 262 and fixing a system in crisis.
The Assessor’s Office has $120 billion tied up in appeals—delayed by outdated technology, poor morale, and failed leadership. Legacy COBOL systems still run core functions and upgrade hasn’t happened for decades. A recent FGOC audit confirmed major issues. And a 2022 County Employee Pulse Survey ranked the office in the bottom 5% of all departments.
Meanwhile, our county is facing a major deficit and pushing for a sales tax hike. That makes accurate, timely property assessments all the more important — as this money is so needed for critical services, our schools, infrastructure, and essential services.
I bring what this moment demands: deep experience in modernization and leadership experience as a C-suite tech executive and elected official. I’ve managed large teams, implemented enterprise-scale systems, and delivered results to my community without raising taxes ever.
You aren’t electing an appraiser. You are electing a reformer who’s ready on day one to modernize, restore trust, and unlock billions for our community.
That’s the real test for who should lead the Assessor’s Office.
Certification is standard procedure. What’s not standard is the opportunity we have to fix a broken system and deliver real results to the people of our county.
