Janelle Kellman
Janelle Kellman | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Sausalito, California | |
| In office 2022–2022 | |
| Member of the Sausalito City Council | |
| Assumed office 2020 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 11, 1973 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education |
|
| Occupation | Attorney, environmental advocate, public official |
Janelle Kellman (born May 11, 1973) is an American politician. She served as Mayor of Sausalito, California in 2022 and is a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California in the 2026 election.[1]
Early life and education
Kellman was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 11, 1973, and grew up in a coal-mining town in northeastern Pennsylvania.[2] She earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Yale University, where she played varsity lacrosse and field hockey and served as team captain.[1] She later obtained a Master's in Environmental management from the University of Oxford and a J.D. from Stanford Law School.[1]
Legal and environmental career
Kellman began her career as an attorney at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she worked on tribal water quality and Endangered Species Act compliance.[3] In 2020, she founded the Center for Sea Rise Solutions, a nonprofit addressing sea-level rise and coastal resilience.[1] The group has collaborated with the Port of Barcelona and the World Ocean Council.[1]
Public service and political career
She served on the Sausalito Planning Commission for over a decade, including multiple terms as chair.[3] Elected to the City Council in 2020, she served as mayor in 2022.[4] As mayor, she secured nearly $2 million in coastal resilience funding and led initiatives on housing affordability and homelessness.[5] She serves on the board of Marin Clean Energy and advocates for workforce development in renewable energy and maritime sectors.[3]
2026 Lieutenant Governor campaign
In December 2023, Kellman announced her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of California in the 2026 election.[6][7] Her campaign emphasizes economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity.[1] She was a featured speaker at New York Climate Week.[8][9] She has also spoken at the Smart City Expo World Congress,[10] Urban Land Institute Spring Meeting,[3] and Net Zero Conference.[11]
Personal life
Kellman is an endurance athlete who has completed over 15 ultramarathons and biked from Washington, D.C. to California.[2] She is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and, during her mayoralty, initiated Sausalito's first LGBTQ+ Pride celebration.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Janelle Kellman". Trellis Group. 30 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Janelle Kellman on Politics, the Environment and Her Work as Mayor". Marin Magazine. 20 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Ms. Janelle Kellman – 2025 ULI Spring Meeting". 2025 ULI Spring Meeting. Urban Land Institute.
- ^ "Dick Spotswood: Sausalito's Kellman entering 2026 state lieutenant governor race". Marin Independent Journal. 12 December 2023.
- ^ Dusseault, Ruth (28 October 2024). "Housing, infrastructure grab spotlight among candidates running for Sausalito City Council". Local News Matters.
- ^ a b Bajko, Matthew S. "Out Sausalito councilmember Kellman runs for Calif. Lt. Governor". Bay Area Reporter.
- ^ "Running, racing and dodging: Janelle Kellman on her bid to be California's next Lieutenant Governor". Los Angeles Blade. 3 April 2025.
- ^ "California Lt Gov candidate Janelle Kellman is featured speaker at New York Climate Week 2024". NBC4i.
- ^ "California Lt Gov candidate Janelle Kellman is featured speaker at New York Climate Week 2024". Fox40.
- ^ "Janelle Kellman". SCEWC 4 - 6 NOV 2025. Smart City Expo World Congress. 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Janelle Kellman – Net Zero Conference".