About Jan

Background & Achievements

I am grateful to San Luis Obispo residents for electing me Mayor for six years (2010-2016) and City Council Member for ten (1998-2002, 2008-2010, 2020-2024). I am running for reelection because I am passionate about implementing our priorities, protecting our common interests and addressing the concerns of our community, and especially city residents.

I am a problem solver and enjoy working hard to get good things done for the community. A lifelong advocate for City protection of open space and natural areas, I spearheaded the City’s first Climate Action Plan and fight to increase the City’s resilience in the face of climate change. I oppose racism, gender discrimination and sexism. I am a tireless advocate for renter protection, affordable and workforce housing, while seeking practical solutions for homelessness. I respect, listen to and collaborate with all kinds of people, including those with whom I may not agree. My business and budgetary skills, which have enabled me to successfully lead the City through hard economic times, have helped the City to not just recover from the pandemic, but also to thrive economically.

Protecting human health and environmental sustainability is very important to me. I currently represent the City on regional boards, including the five county clean green energy supplier, Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), and the policy boards of the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA), SLO Council of Governments (SLOCOG), San Luis Obispo Regional Transportation Agency (SLORTA) and the SLO Air Pollution Control District (APCD).

I earned degrees from University of Santa Clara Law School (J.D.); Stanford University (B.A.), and Columbia University (M.A.). I ran my own law business for 17 years, practicing estate planning, real property, construction, employment, and local government law. A former Deputy District Attorney, I have also had extensive training in mediation and negotiation. I served as Campus Dean of the nonprofit San Luis Obispo College of Law and Professor from 2017 to 2022. I am an active member of the Rotary San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Club.

A San Luis Obispo resident since 1988, I am married to former Cal Poly Professor Steven Marx, who is a member of the Board of the nonprofit City Farm SLO and manages the Prefumo Creek Restoration and Enhancement Project. We have two grown children, four grandsons, and a sweet Cavalier spaniel. I love to hike, travel, cook, write, read and celebrate with family.

Achievements

Here are a few examples of Jan’s achievements when in office: