Raj Salwan

Sworn in as Fremont’s first Indian-American elected Mayor in December 2024, Mayor Raj Salwan grew up in Fremont, where he attended Vallejo Mill Elementary School and walked to school from his family’s one-bedroom apartment. Fremont gave him the opportunity to go from that one-bedroom apartment at Harris Place to running a successful business and serving as Human Relations Commissioner, Planning Commissioner, Fremont Councilmember, and Vice Mayor.

Prior to becoming Mayor, he served in city government for over 18 years. Currently, Mayor Salwan is the representative for the City of Fremont on the Alameda County Transportation Commission, and he also serves as the First Vice Chairperson for the California League of Cities East Bay Division, which includes Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. His leadership as a subcommittee member of the joint City Council-School District Liaison Committee has supported the continued success of Fremont schools, and he has also contributed extensively to local commissions, non-profit boards, and regional agencies.

Known for his ability to find common ground and build consensus, Mayor Salwan has a track record of achieving results. His efforts were instrumental in founding the Innovation District in Warm Springs, home to prominent advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and high-tech innovation companies like Tesla, Seagate, Lam Research, Western Digital, and Delta Electronics. He also championed initiatives to reduce cut-through traffic in Fremont and has consistently advocated for improved local and regional infrastructure.

As a small business owner and proud husband and father of three children who attended Fremont Public Schools, Mayor Salwan's vision for Fremont is centered around making the City an even better place to live, work, and play while preserving its rich cultural heritage. This includes providing all residents with a home they can afford, a good education, a high-skilled job, parks to enjoy, and a safe environment to live in. At a higher level, his vision includes cutting-edge infrastructure, greater housing affordability, expanded public safety resources, thriving local businesses, and positioning Fremont as a model for sustainability and innovation.

Mayor Salwan is proud to have achieved the American dream and is committed to giving back to the community that has given him so much. He believes in leading Fremont toward a brighter future where every resident can achieve their own dreams. He studied biological sciences at UC Irvine, before earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University.