Commissioners

Elmer Martínez Saballos was elected to represent Redwood City’s Fourth Council District in 2024 after serving on the City Council for two years. Born and raised in Redwood City, Martínez spent a majority of his young life growing up in the Palm Park and Stambaugh-Heller neighborhoods: communities he now represents on the City Council. Prior to his service on the City Council, Elmer served as a member of the Redwood City Planning Commission, the youngest community member to be appointed to the body.

Elmer is the proud son of Central American immigrants and a product of Redwood City’s local schools–attending Sequoia High School and Cañada College before becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college. Elmer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Global Peace & Security, from the University of California, Santa Barbara in June 2017

In his professional capacity, Elmer has served as the Director of Communications for the Child Care Coordinating Council (4Cs) of San Mateo County since March 2024. In his role, Elmer shapes the agency’s internal and external messaging as it connects families to child care and other resources critical for long-term success.

Prior to joining the 4Cs of San Mateo County, Elmer supported his community’s state legislators, State Senator Jerry Hill and Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Kevin Mullin, as their district representative to San Mateo County’s northernmost cities. During his time in the State Legislature, Martínez directly assisted constituents navigate state government resources during the Covid-19 Pandemic. His portfolio included policy and casework related to housing, healthcare reform, transportation, and economic development. In his free time, Elmer enjoys hiking on the California coastside, cooking new recipes, practicing photography, and enjoying the company of his family and friends.