VOTE KUMAR FOR
ASSESSOR TO EXEMPT 60+ AGE GROUP FROM PROPERTY TAXES
“CUT TAXES…
PUT YOUR MONEY BACK WHERE IT BELONGS––IN YOUR POCKET”
We have Exciting News!
New polling (11/14) shows we are now TIED — and the momentum has swung our way in the weeks since the 11/4 election.
📬 Runoff ballots begin arriving December 1st in your mailbox. Make sure to vote by December 30th.
Even more good news on the senior exemption: The proposed exemption is simple and fair: every California resident age 60 and older qualifies automatically—age is the only major requirement.We are making rapid progress! Learn more here ➜ RishiKumar.com/seniors
The link above outlines exactly how we are advancing this initiative—how we will protect schools and essential services from any deficit, and why the County Assessor is uniquely positioned to lead this statewide exemption effort. Yes, Assessors across the country are putting together property tax reform. Just because no one in our county has tried it, doesn’t mean the Assessor cannot or doesn’t have the authority.
The truth is simple: We’ve been very clear this exemption would follow a well-established and fully legal ballot-initiative process. Yet they’ve chosen to call it a lie. The truth is simple — an Assessor absolutely can launch a statewide ballot initiative.
A Tax & Spend opponent vs A Tax-Hawk Rishi
Rishi cuts taxes and cuts waste!
His opponent raises taxes.
I’ve consistently fought utility rate hikes, reduced taxes, and eliminated waste in government and hi-tech. Now I’m leading the charge for a permanent property-tax exemption for Santa Clara County residents 60 and older.
Meanwhile, my opponent has taken the opposite approach:
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My opponent voted YES on Regional Measure 4, a staggering $50 BILLION tax increase — even though it contained a $240 million-per-year math error. Not only voted for it enthusiastically, but voted without doing the math. We cannot trust this person to get the math right in the Assessor’s office or question tax increases.
You can’t fix today’s problems with yesterday’s playbook. My opponent has held the current role for just a year — essentially a long internship. The inexperience shows––my opponent failed to articulate any real reform agenda during this run and finds the Assessor’s office as “fine” and “nothing needing to be fixed.” It’s clear they do not fully understand what this position requires or how best to represent the interest of the people.
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My opponent supported Measure A, the sales-tax increase — while I chaired the NO on A Sales Tax committee, fighting to prevent that regressive burden on working families and seniors.
Choice is Yours: Higher Taxes vs Lower Taxes
My opponent is a lawyer and a classic tax-and-spend Democrat.
I’m a tax-hawk Democrat — a Silicon Valley hi-tech executive with over two decades of experience leading large teams, overseeing finance and operations, and modernizing outdated systems.
The opponent will continue the old pattern of the past and push to increase taxes:
❌ Will dismantle Prop 13 at the first opportunity to boost property-tax revenue for the county. Giving them control of the Assessor’s Office would hurt our interests — and our pocketbooks.
❌ No automation of Prop 8 reductions when the housing market declines
❌ Increasing county revenue by spiking taxes— even when people are clearly feeling the pain
Rishi Kumar will ALWAYS work in the interest of the people.
✔️ I will exempt 60+ property taxes
✔️ I will protect prop-13
✔️ I will ensure automatic, timely Prop 8 reductions during market downturns. Scroll down to see how.
✔️ I will ensure a modern, transparent Assessor’s Office that works for the people — not the bureaucracy.
The Bottom Line
If you want tax overages, tax overreach, and higher taxes, vote for my opponent.
If you want lower taxes, reform, and cuts to waste, vote for Rishi Kumar.
An Honor....
Dear neighbors,
Property tax reform is sweeping the county and I’m all for it!
My name’s Rishi Kumar and I’m honored to be running for County Assessor.
I am seeking your vote — here’s why:
I am the only candidate in this race who supports a property tax exemption for ages 60+. No one should lose their home to rising taxes. I have already launched a ballot initiative to get this done. Today, 16 states across the U.S. have already provided tax relief for seniors. If they can do it, so can we!
I’m the only proven tax fighter in this race: I’ve never supported a tax increase. I will always cut waste, not raise taxes! I am the only candidate in this race who has pledged to protect Prop 13. 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.
As a Saratoga councilmember, I successfully fought rate hikes from San Jose Water Company and PG&E — and I’m the only one in this race to do so. Saratoga reelected me with the highest vote count in 70 years because they know that integrity and incorruptibility aren’t just words—they define me.
I’m the only candidate ready to modernize the Assessor’s office from day one: As a C-suite software executive, with proven leadership in finance, operations, and IT modernization—and as the author of a book on Artificial Intelligence—I bring battle-tested expertise.
This election is about trust. I will always fight for your interests, not the special interests—and I’m ready to do the same 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.
I would be honored to have your vote.
Rishi Kumar's Agenda as County Assessor
A Piece of Paper...(Much Ado about Nothing)! Larry Stone wasn't certified in 1992 when he was elected as County Assessor
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 property tax reformer, who will cut waste and make government work for the people. That’s the real test for who should lead the Assessor’s Office.
Certification is standard procedure (and you can get certified after being elected). What’s not standard is the opportunity we have to fix a broken system and deliver real results to the people of our county.
Home Prices have fallen in 2025.
Do you see a property tax reduction?
Do you see a property tax reduction?
Here is Rishi Kumar’s plan to automate Prop 8 mandated property tax reductions when home values fall and put your money back into your pocket
New Zillow data (November 2025) confirms what homeowners are feeling:
Home values are dropping across America — and the Bay Area is among the hardest hit
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San Jose Metro (including Santa Clara County): 78% have declined
Under Proposition 8, when your home value drops, your property taxes should drop too. But Santa Clara County doesn’t adjust assessments automatically. Homeowners are forced to:
- File appeals
- Chase the Assessor’s Office (and the appeals process has been clear as mud)
- Gather their own comps
- Wait months for answers
Meanwhile, thousands are being overcharged every year.
I’m going to fix that. My Plan for Automatic Property Tax Reductions
As a Silicon Valley tech executive with deep experience in AI, data systems, and modernization, I will:
1. Automate Prop 8 Reductions: Every homeowner gets an automatic annual value reduction in a downturn — no forms, no appeals.
2. AI-driven Market Monitoring: My system will instantly detect declining neighborhoods using real-time market data.
3. Instant notifications: You’ll receive your updated assessment automatically — transparent, accurate, and data-backed.
4. End the burden on Homeowners: The responsibility shifts to the Assessor’s Office.
You shouldn’t have to chase the government for fairness.
5. Fair restoration when property prices rise: When values recover, assessments adjust gradually — no shock increases.
This will be the most automated, homeowner-friendly property tax system in California. Even the appeal process will be automated as far as possible – and the process will no longer be as clear as mud.
Why I Am Best Suited to Deliver This
This reform is not theoretical — it requires a rare combination of skills that aligns directly with my background:
1. I am a Silicon Valley AI & Modernization Leader
For decades, I’ve led modernization projects at scale, replacing outdated systems with automated, intelligent platforms. This is exactly what the Assessor’s Office needs:
• automation
• data integration
• real-time modeling
• operational redesign
My opponent has no background in technology or modernization.
2. I Have a Demonstrated Record of Fixing Large, Broken Systems
I’ve worked on AI-driven solutions in government, transportation, utilities, and large enterprises, even authored a book on AI. I know how to transform a bureaucratic, paper-based system into an accurate, efficient, digital one.
3. I Have a Public Record of Fighting for Residents
I led the “No on Measure A” campaign against a sales tax increase, quoted in almost 50 TV and news pieces speaking against waste and county bloat. I’ve fought PG&E, San Jose Water Company, and bureaucratic waste — consistently protecting taxpayers. This is the mindset needed to fix assessment failures and deliver automatic reductions.
4. I Know How to Build Large Coalitions and Deliver Outcomes
From neighborhood safety programs to fighting San Jose Water Company, to countywide reform campaigns, I’ve always succeeded by mobilizing communities and driving change. Transforming the assessor’s system requires exactly that — leadership plus execution.
5. I Understand the Pain Homeowners Are Feeling
As someone who has talked to thousands of homeowners in Santa Clara County, I know the struggles of overassessment, bureaucratic delays, and rising taxes. That’s why this is personal — and why I’m committed to delivering a fair system.
Bottom Line: When 78% of homes in our county lose value, your taxes should reflect that – immediately, automatically and accurately.
I will deliver:
• automated reductions
• transparent assessments
• modern systems
• and homeowner-first service
This isn’t just a plan — it’s a promise backed by my expertise, my record, and my leadership
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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 will ensure these reductions are applied automatically whenever property values decline—so you get a property tax credit without having to fight through bureaucratic "clear as mud" appeal process and red tape.
I’ll make sure you automatically get the property tax reduction you deserve — no appeal needed. This reform is decades overdue, and I will fix it once and for all."
- 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
