City of Santa Clara City Council Councilmember Karen Hardy

Living and working in Santa Clara since 1985, Karen Hardy teaches at Wilcox High School and has volunteered in city government on the Planning Commission, the Historical & Landmarks Commission and the Charter Review Committee. Plus, she participated in a number of local groups and activities, including Soroptimists, Santa Clara Association for Good Government, Santa Clarans for Political Integrity and Ethics, and Leadership Santa Clara.

Karen Hardy and ally Raj Chahal both won reelection to the City Council in 2022, besting two political newcomers. In its coverage of the campaign, the Mercury News reported that Hardy and Chahal “rejected the idea that the hundreds of thousands of dollars the 49ers have contributed to independent expenditure committees supporting their campaigns will influence them going forward.” The Merc article also noted that both councilmembers rejected claims made in a civil grand jury report that accused members of the Santa Clara City Council of being too close to the San Francisco 49ers.

First elected: November 2018

Day job: Teacher, contractor for Code.org

Alma maters: Brigham Young University (bachelor’s degree, chemical engineering); National University (master’s degree, teaching)

Assignments include:
Audit Committee
Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Chair)
Stadium Authority Audit Committee
Economic Development, Communications and Marketing Committee (Alternate)