Fremont City Council appointed 40-year resident and longtime community leader Kathy Kimberlin as the new council member for District 3 this past Tuesday.
During the council meeting on September 10, Kimberlin was officially sworn into office by the City of Fremont. She is replacing Jenny Kassan, who recently resigned as she helps her husband Vinnie Bacon run for mayor. The passionate newcomer expressed excitement about working alongside currently seated council members.
“I love Fremont,” Kimberlin said. “It’s not easy to make changes but if we work together we can.”
She will serve as council member for approximately two years. Her term is set to end November 2026.
Kimberlin already serves as Assistant to District 1 Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert. She has also had leadership roles with the Centerville Business and Community Association, Fremont Education Foundation, Fremont Chamber of Commerce, and in 2020 she co-founded the Tri-City Nonprofit Coalition with Lisa Stambaugh and Tina Fernandez. Moved by her unwavering commitment to public service, residents took the open public comment section to sing her praises.
“Kathy is a vigorous and enthusiastic devotee of community service,” said former Assistant City Attorney for the city Ted Bresler.
Kimberlin received the second-highest votes during the 2022 General Municipal Election, and said she felt the enthusiasm surrounding her last campaign and the impression she left on voters never left. Though she’s clashed with some residents on policy issues, she is hopeful her term will bring about a stronger Fremont.
“I ran on building community alongside my neighbors, and I try to do that every day,” she said.
Note: This article was edited to reflect that Kathy Kimberlin has lived in Fremont 40 years, that she co-founded Tri-City Nonprofit Coalition with Lisa Stambaugh and Tina Fernandez, and that she will continue to work at Supervisor Haubert’s office.
