Joe Simitian

State Senator Joe Simitian (Ret.) wrapped up 41 years of public service as an elected official in December of 2024. He served as a member of the California State Senate, the California State Assembly, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Mayor of Palo Alto, and President of the Palo Alto School Board. In the State Legislature Joe authored landmark legislation in the areas of education, environment, energy, water, privacy, elder protection and highway safety. On the Board of Supervisors his work centered on housing and homelessness, health care, mental health, criminal justice reform, land use, and the needs of folks in the intellectually and developmentally disabled community.

An AICP certified city planner, Joe was also a member of the California State Bar Association.

Joe received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The Colorado College; a Master of Arts degree in International Policy Studies from Stanford University; a Master of City Planning degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Juris Doctor law degree from the University of California at Berkeley (formerly Boalt Hall).

He joined IRiSS as a Visiting Scholar in September of 2025.