Sally Lieber seeks reelection to California Board of Equalization

Sally J. Lieber, a Democrat, is seeking reelection to the California State Board of Equalization District 2 seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

She faces fellow Democrat John Pimentel, according to the California Secretary of State’s voter guide. San Mateo voters will help choose their representative on the state’s property tax oversight board.

The San Mateo Record candidate questionnaire was sent to Sally J. Lieber’s campaign. No response was received as of Oct. 29, 2026. The policy positions below are drawn from her public campaign website and public records.

Lieber was elected to the board in 2022. Her official biography says she chairs the board in 2026, following service as chair in 2024 and vice chair in 2025.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic.
Office sought: California State Board of Equalization, District 2.
Current role: District 2 representative and board chair.

District 2 includes Contra Costa County and 18 other coastal counties, extending from Del Norte County to Ventura County, according to her official biography.

Experience and public service

Lieber was elected to the Mountain View City Council in 1998 and served as vice mayor and mayor, according to her board biography.

She served in the California Assembly from 2002 to 2008, including as speaker pro tempore.

Her official biography credits her legislative work with increasing the minimum wage, expanding college financial aid and supporting housing for low-income residents. It also describes legislation addressing human trafficking, sexual assault survivors’ rights and environmental protection.

Her other public-service roles have included serving on the Valley Transportation Authority board, chairing the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Water Commission and serving on the Santa Clara County Social Services Advisory Commission.

On the issues

The following positions come from Lieber’s campaign priorities page and her state voter guide statement.

Taxpayer services and transparency: Lieber supports making tax information easier to find, understand and use. She says the board should respond thoroughly to taxpayer questions and help resolve problems.

In her voter guide statement, she says she does not accept contributions from corporate political action committees.

Housing: Lieber supports examining how tax programs and other funding mechanisms contribute to affordable housing. She advocates housing near transit, child care, shops and parks, along with a wider range of housing providers serving people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

She says tax credits should be administered transparently and fairly.

Environmental protection: Lieber supports more sustainable government operations and protecting open space to limit sprawl. Her campaign links climate risks to community safety, property values and the state’s financial stability.

Agency staffing: Lieber says the Board of Equalization needs enough trained employees to respond effectively to taxpayers. She supports working with colleges and universities to recruit and prepare future staff.

Veterans and homeowners: Lieber says she would improve access to information and assistance for veterans, seniors, people with disabilities and small businesses.

In her voter guide statement, she identifies accurate property assessments, taxpayer assistance, housing affordability and disaster recovery as priorities for another term.