City of Santa Clara City Council Councilmember Sudhanshu Jain

Sudhanshu Jain, known as “Suds,” is part of a new era on the Santa Clara City Council with representatives selected by district elections. Though he’s new to the council, Jain is no stranger at City Hall. He spent five years on the Planning Commission as well as time on the Charter Review and Chief of Police Citizens Advisory committees. “As a 20-year resident of the Old Quad, I’m deeply invested in the city and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it,” Jain told San José Spotlight. “I feel that I have the experience, and being on planning commission, I know land use—the biggest decisions councilmembers make.”

First elected: November 2020

Alma mater: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (bachelor’s degree, electronics; master’s degree, laser optics)