Mountain View City Council · Nov 3, 2026

Robert Cox

Candidate for City Council

8 candidates · 3 seats14 sourced positions

Robert Cox is running for Mountain View City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 8 candidates are running for 3 seats.

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing (week of) · Mon, Oct 5, 2026

Today

Retired software engineer. Chair of the city’s Rental Housing Committee, former Environmental Planning Commissioner (2013-2020) and a co-founder of Livable Mountain View.

Occupation (from candidate statement): Retired Software Engineer
Endorsed by: Santa Clara County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, former Supervisor Joe Simitian, former Mountain View mayors including Lisa Matichak and John McAlister, the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter and Livable Mountain View. Campaign website (accessed Oct 2, 2026)
Campaign website: robertcoxforcouncil.com

Where Robert Cox stands: positions on the record

Housing5 sourced positions

Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Opposes SB 79, the state law meant to increase housing density near major transit stops.
“I opposed SB79, as it does not provide for sensitive transitions to existing residences. I support a SB79 local alternative plan.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026
Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Opposes increasing housing density in parts of the city made up largely of single-family homes.
“California law SB9 already allows 4 units on most of the formerly single-family lots in our city. I do not support upzoning such areas further.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026
Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Favors the city's rent control ordinance.
“The voters voted for rent control in a ballot measure and I respect their decision. I am now serving as Chair of the Rental Housing Committee.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026
As reported by the Mountain View Voice; quote is verbatim, summary is not
Opposes SB 79 and wants a local alternative plan to offset its impact downtown, possibly including the Monta Loma neighborhood.
“At least we could make the decision and not have it made arbitrarily with no ability to plan at all from a council perspective”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate profile · Sep 28, 2026
As reported by the Mountain View Voice; quote is verbatim, summary is not
Supports the 120-unit Corso affordable project on a downtown parking lot, provided the parking spots are replaced elsewhere.
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate profile · Sep 28, 2026

Vehicle residents2 sourced positions

Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Favors further restricting oversized vehicles from parking on city streets.
“I support a regional solution to the RV parking problem. I do not support living in RVs on the streets as a permanent housing solution.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026
As reported by the Mountain View Voice; quote is verbatim, summary is not
Supports further restricting oversized vehicles on city streets; says safe parking lots were meant as a temporary step.
“I don’t think that having people living on the streets in RVs is a permanent housing solution or a preferable one”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate profile · Sep 28, 2026

Budget and taxes4 sourced positions

Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Opposes raising the city's business tax on major tech companies to generate more revenue.
“City staff has not demonstrated a need to do this. Doing it could drive more good paying jobs out of Mountain View.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026
Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Favors Measure F, which would increase the city's hotel tax.
“I favor increasing it to match other local jurisdictions to support the city's need for revenue.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026
Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Opposes the city asking voters to approve a general obligation bond to fund city initiatives.
“At this point, I agree with city staff that there is no demonstrated need to do this if the increase in the hotel tax is passed.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026
As reported by the Mountain View Voice; quote is verbatim, summary is not
Supports the hotel tax measure but has little appetite to raise city fees or other taxes now; wants to focus on core services and road maintenance.
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate profile · Sep 28, 2026

Downtown1 sourced position

Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Opposes paid street parking in downtown Mountain View.
“I would first favor restricting times in heavily used areas.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026

Streets1 sourced position

Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Abstained on the California Street changes, including fewer driving lanes and protected bike lanes.
“I will decide based on survey results and the cost of further changes.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026

Public safety1 sourced position

Answer to the Mountain View Voice candidate questionnaire
Opposes reintroducing automatic license plate readers in Mountain View.
“Flock violated the public trust.”
Own statementMountain View Voice candidate questionnaire, published Sep 17, 2026 (table data) · Sep 17, 2026

Also running for City Council

All 8 Mountain View candidates →

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