Meet The Dublin Candidate: Sherry Hu

DUBLIN, CA — Patch reached out to all candidates running for mayor and city council in Dublin, and reprinted their answers to our questionnaire verbatim.

In Dublin, three candidates are running for mayor, including incumbent Sherry Hu. Four candidates are running for Council District 2, in the northeastern part of the city; and two candidates are running for District 4 in the southeast, including incumbent Kashef Qaadri.

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Dublin switched to district-based elections in 2024, and this is the first year that Districts 2 and 4 are electing their own candidates.

Below, read the responses of Sherry Hu, who has served as mayor since 2024.

What is your educational background?

I hold a Ph.D. in Architectural Engineering and am a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). I also recently earned a Stanford certificate focused on AI and executive leadership. My education brings together engineering, financial expertise, and an understanding of emerging technologies.

What is your professional background?

My career spans engineering, education, energy, and financial planning. I served as an assistant professor at UNLV and a project manager at PG&E, founded Peace of Mind Finance, and serve as director of Beyond Academy. I also co-founded Above Beyond Leadership and Education (ABLE), a nonprofit supporting youth and families through leadership development and community engagement.

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

I was elected to the Dublin City Council in 2020, served as Vice Mayor in 2023, and was elected Mayor in 2024. Throughout my service, I have focused on public safety, responsible financial management, roads and infrastructure, local businesses, parks, and community engagement.

What are the top three issues facing Dublin right now?

1. Public safety: Maintain effective neighborhood policing, dependable emergency services, and prevention efforts that help residents feel secure.

2. Growth and infrastructure: Manage remaining development thoughtfully, improve traffic and roads, strengthen cell coverage, and coordinate with the school district so community needs are addressed as projects move forward.

3. Economic vitality and quality of life: Advance Downtown Dublin with more dining, shopping, and gathering spaces; attract commercial investment and quality jobs to the Fallon East Economic Development Zone; and expand opportunities for recreation and the arts. Strong businesses and responsible finances sustain the services residents depend on.

What is one specific action you would prioritize during your first year in office?

I would prioritize a public implementation roadmap to advance three connected priorities:

Downtown: Build on the planning work already underway to create more dining, shopping, and gathering spaces that support local businesses and provide a welcoming city center.

Infrastructure: Advance upgrades to Tassajara Road and Village Parkway, and improve cell coverage with new telecommunications towers.

Community: Work to secure more open space and open the Dublin Arts Center, expanding opportunities for recreation, creativity, and connection.

Working with Council colleagues, staff, and community partners, I would establish realistic milestones, identify funding responsibilities, and provide regular public progress updates. My goal is to keep Dublin moving forward while protecting the quality of life residents value.

Dublin continues to add housing and consider new developments. How should the city determine where additional growth belongs, and how should it ensure that transportation, schools and other infrastructure keep pace?

Dublin has experienced substantial residential growth, and many neighborhoods are approaching buildout. Remaining projects and housing capacity still require careful planning. My priority is to manage that growth responsibly, protect neighborhood quality of life, and strengthen our employment base.

We should use the General Plan and adopted specific plans to guide where growth belongs, meet applicable housing requirements, and consider access to transit, jobs, services, and infrastructure. Each proposal should be evaluated for traffic, utility capacity, public safety, parks, and its relationship to surrounding neighborhoods. Infrastructure funding and construction milestones should be coordinated with development, using developer contributions where authorized.

As a parent whose children attended classes in portables, I understand the impact of growth on schools. The City should maintain close coordination with Dublin Unified on enrollment projections, facilities, and project timing, while respecting the district's authority.

I also want to advance commercial and employment opportunities in the Fallon East Economic Development Zone, including technology, life sciences, clean technology, and advanced manufacturing. Attracting quality jobs and diversifying revenues will help sustain services and give residents more opportunities to work locally.

What is your vision for Downtown Dublin, and what concrete action would you take to create a more distinctive, walkable and economically successful city center?

My vision is a Downtown Dublin with a recognizable identity: a welcoming town square, connected streets, inviting public spaces, and a lively mix of restaurants, shops, services, and places to gather. It should be comfortable to explore on foot and offer reasons to visit throughout the day and evening.

During my Council service, we have advanced the planning framework and reviewed proposals to implement the Downtown Preferred Vision. I will continue pushing that work forward, with attention to community feedback, financial feasibility, and lasting public benefits.

My concrete priority is to work with staff and the property owner to advance the revised plan and necessary agreements, with clear milestones for the town square and the proposed extension of Golden Gate Drive. Those discussions should address funding, phasing, pedestrian connections, and maintenance responsibilities.

We should also support existing businesses during the transition and encourage outdoor dining, arts, and community events that bring people downtown. Safe crossings, accessible sidewalks, shade, lighting, and connections to West Dublin/Pleasanton BART should help make the area welcoming. I will seek regular public progress reports so residents can follow the next steps.

How do we best ensure Dublin remains a safe community?

Keeping Dublin safe is my first responsibility as Mayor. We should sustain effective police and fire services, use data to deploy resources where they are needed, and build strong relationships between residents and first responders.

I support neighborhood patrols, traffic enforcement, and crime-prevention tools such as license plate readers and cameras, with appropriate oversight and privacy protections. Technology should help officers prevent and investigate crime, alongside responsive policing and community trust.

Safety also means safer streets, dependable emergency access, and preparedness for fires, earthquakes, and other emergencies. We should address dangerous driving, improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, and ensure infrastructure supports timely emergency response.

Prevention matters. Partnerships with schools, families, businesses, and service providers can strengthen youth outreach, mental health support, and assistance for people in crisis. I will continue listening to residents, reviewing results, and supporting the staffing, training, and equipment needed to keep our community safe, while maintaining responsible budgets.

Why do you feel you're a better candidate than your opponents?

I bring proven results, broad community trust, and the experience to keep Dublin moving forward. Over the past two years of my mayoral term, we have opened three parks, welcomed more than 100 new businesses, invested in infrastructure, and maintained strong finances, including a $36.2 million operating surplus. U.S. News & World Report ranked Dublin the No. 1 Best Place to Live in California for 2026 to 2027.

I am endorsed by Supervisors David Haubert, Nate Miley, and Lena Tam; former Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez; mayors from surrounding cities; and business leaders, community leaders, and neighbors. Their support reflects confidence in my service and collaborative leadership.

My experience in engineering, finance, education, business, and nonprofit service helps me turn community priorities into practical results. Dublin is thriving, and I will build on our progress, protect our quality of life, and keep our city safe, strong, and sustainable.