Murali Srinivasan, a resident of Sunnyvale for more than twenty‑five years, is running for re-election to Sunnyvale City Council (District 3).  Originally from Bangalore, India, Srinivasan built a career in the software and technology industry as an engineer, technology executive, and start-up founder. He holds master’s degrees in Computer Science from Virginia Tech and Engineering Management from Stanford University. Srinivasan’s background in public service includes serving as the President of the Ortega Park Neighborhood Association, on the Sustainability Commission, and on the boards of Leadership Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Community Services. In 2021, he received a Distinguished Resident of the Year award from City of Sunnyvale.

In an exclusive interview with India Currents, Srinivasan shared why he is running for office. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Why did you decide to run for reelection? 

I chose to run for reelection because I want to continue the work I’ve been doing for our  community — especially in three areas that matter deeply to District 3 residents: 

Financial oversight: Ensuring disciplined budgeting, transparent decision-making, and  responsible stewardship of public funds. 

Improving public safety: Strengthening emergency response, supporting  community-based safety initiatives, and advancing policies that help residents feel secure  in their neighborhoods. 

Community engagement and youth participation: Expanding opportunities for residents  — including young people — to be involved in civic processes, share their perspectives,  and help shape Sunnyvale’s future. 

These priorities reflect the work I’ve already been doing and the commitments I want to  continue building on. 

What do you see as your primary role as Sunnyvale City Council member? 

My primary role is to develop policies that reflect the needs, priorities, and values of our  community — and to ensure that the City allocates resources effectively to implement  those policies. This means listening to residents, evaluating data and long-term impacts,  and working collaboratively with City staff and fellow Councilmembers so that our  decisions translate into real improvements for Sunnyvale. 

If re-elected, your top priorities will be.. 

If re-elected, I will continue focusing on the areas that strengthen trust, accountability, and  long-term stability in Sunnyvale: 

• Transparency: Ensuring residents have clear insight into how decisions are made  and how public resources are used. 

• Data-driven decision-making: Using reliable information, performance metrics,  and community feedback to guide policies and evaluate outcomes. 

• Responsible fiscal management: Maintaining disciplined budgeting, protecting  taxpayer dollars, and planning for long-term financial sustainability. 

• Greater resident engagement: Expanding opportunities for community members  — including youth — to participate meaningfully in civic processes and help shape  the City’s future.

These priorities build on the work I’ve already been doing and reflect the values of our  community. 

What are the major challenges that your constituency is facing? 

Residents in District 3 are experiencing several significant challenges that affect daily life,  neighborhood stability, and long-term community well-being. The issues fall into two levels  — district-specific concerns and broader citywide challenges. 

District 3 Challenges 

• Crime and public safety: Residents are concerned about thefts, break-ins, and  overall neighborhood safety. Strengthening prevention, response, and community  partnerships remains a priority. 

• School safety: Families want safer routes to schools, better traffic management,  and stronger protections for students on and around campuses. 

• Quality of life: Issues such as traffic, noise, aging infrastructure, and access to  neighborhood-serving retail continue to affect daily living. 

Citywide Challenges 

• Public safety: Ensuring Sunnyvale maintains its high standards for emergency  response and community safety as the city grows. 

• Homelessness: Addressing homelessness with compassion while improving  services, prevention, and coordination across regional partners. 

• Financial health: Maintaining long-term fiscal stability so the City can continue  delivering high-quality services and investing in infrastructure. 

These challenges shape the priorities I focus on as a Councilmember. 

What do you consider your most significant accomplishments for Sunnyvale during your tenure? 

During my time on the Sunnyvale City Council, I have focused on strengthening the City’s  long-term stability, modernizing its capabilities, and expanding meaningful community  participation. The accomplishments I consider most significant include:

Fiscal oversight: Providing disciplined financial stewardship, ensuring responsible  budgeting, and helping maintain Sunnyvale’s strong financial position. 

Advancing AI and cybersecurity adoption: Supporting efforts to modernize City  operations, improve cybersecurity readiness, and responsibly integrate emerging  technologies to enhance public services. 

Community engagement through Your Voice Sunnyvale: Creating a platform that helps  residents stay informed about Council agendas, understand policy issues, and participate  more actively in civic discussions. 

Youth participation in government: Establishing Sunnyvale Youth Advisory to give  students hands-on opportunities to learn about local government, lead community  projects, and contribute their perspectives to City initiatives. 

These efforts reflect my commitment to transparency, innovation, and inclusive civic  engagement. 

What sets you apart from your competitors in the race?  

I am unopposed in my race. 

What would be your one-minute pitch to voters? 

Sunnyvale deserves leadership that is transparent, data-driven, fiscally disciplined, and  deeply connected to the community. Throughout my service on the City Council, I have  focused on strengthening public trust, improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods,  and expanding opportunities for residents — including youth — to participate meaningfully  in local government. I will continue promoting transparency, evidence-based  decision-making, responsible fiscal management, and greater resident engagement so our  city remains safe, innovative, and financially strong. I respectfully ask for your vote so we  can continue building a safe, fiscally strong, innovative, and exceptional Sunnyvale  together. 

Tell us about your family and background? 

(My family consists of) my wife Ganga, son Arjun, daughter-in-law Tina and daughter Nikita. Our family has lived in  Sunnyvale for over 29 years. 

Are there any personal anecdotes you would like to share? 

A few experiences have shaped my outlook and approach to public service. I started school  unusually early — I was just two years old when I entered first grade — an experience that  taught me resilience and curiosity from a young age. I’ve always loved exploring the 

country, and over the years I’ve driven in more than forty states. In 2020, I made a solo  cross-country drive from North Carolina to California, which gave me time to reflect on  community, opportunity, and the diversity of our nation. 

Entrepreneurship has also been an important part of my journey. My first company was  named VTSU, inspired by my academic roots at Virginia Tech and Stanford University,  and it marked the beginning of my career in technology and innovation.