J.R. Fruen

Councilmember

First Term: Ends in December 2026
Served as Vice Mayor in 2024

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Education

B.A. European Studies, German, and minor in Italian, UCLA

J.D. Santa Clara University School of Law 

Biography

J.R. is a third-generation resident of Cupertino. He grew up attending our local public schools, starting at Lincoln Elementary and finishing at Lynbrook High. He is a graduate summa cum laude of UCLA, holds a J.D. from Santa Clara Law, and has actively practiced law since 2015. Between undergrad and law school, J.R. ran a number of retail establishments on Santana Row, which reinforced his love of well-designed, active spaces. In his day job, he serves as Chief of Staff in San Jose Council District 1, where he advises on land use policy, economic development, and housing-related matters. J.R. is committed to building a more inclusive Cupertino and greater West Valley through improved housing policies, increased economic development, and more transparent and orderly governance. J.R. is fluent in Italian and German. Friday nights will usually find him playing mahjong with his husband and friends.

 

2025 Council Committee Assignments

Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) (Primary)

County of Santa Clara Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (Primary)

Santa Clara County Library District Joint Powers Authority - Board of Directors (Alternate)

School Partnership and School Liaison (Alternate)

Safe Route 85 Corridor Policy Advisory Board (Alternate)

Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority (SVCEA) JPA - Primary