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Pete Dailey appears to be winning by a wide margin in the contentious race for the Area 7 seat on the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors, based on early returns.
Dailey is leading with 57.69% (26,942 votes) while incumbent Eisenberg has received 42.26% (19,735 votes), based on initial results released at 4:49 p.m. Wednesday.
“I’m pretty confident,” Dailey said earlier in the night. “I’m optimistic about my victory and I’m glad the voters have made their choice.”
The water district, also referred to as Valley Water, manages much of the area’s local water supply and spearheads Santa Clara County’s stream maintenance and flood protection work.
The district is split into seven geographic territories, with one director appointed by the voters in each area. Area 7 covers portions of Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno and Los Gatos, among other communities. Areas 1, 4 and 6 are also up for a vote this election.
Dailey, currently a Los Altos City Council member, has served on the Santa Clara Valley Water Commission since 2022. The commission advises Valley Water’s Board of Directors, assisting the board with its water policies. During that time, Dailey served as chair of the commission and in 2025.
The election has drawn attention due to controversies over Eisenberg’s conduct on the board. In February 2024, an investigation examined 25 complaints against Eisenberg since she joined the board. Nine of the complaints were found to be substantiated, though Eisenberg denied the allegations, which ranged from harassment and abuse to discriminatory remarks.
Following the investigation, she took a 2,000-page document detailing its results. After the incident, the Valley Water board censured her and the organization sued her. The case is ongoing.
“After four exhausting years and a campaign marked by deeply troubling conduct from my opponent, I wish him success if these results hold,” Eisenberg said in a text message. “For the community I love, I particularly hope he preserves the flood protections I fought for. But knowing what it took to secure them, I may not stay to take that risk.”
