In 2004, Low unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the City Council, but he ran again in 2006 and won in his second attempt. Low worked as a senior district representative for California's former 28th State Assembly district Assemblymember Paul Fong.[3][4]
When his colleagues selected him to become Campbell mayor in 2009, Low became the youngest openly gay, Asian American mayor in the nation.[6]
In 2013, his colleagues on the Campbell City Council selected him to serve as mayor for a second time.[7] His term on the council expired in 2014.
Low chaired the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee from March 2016 until November 2021, when he was removed without explanation by Speaker Anthony Rendon. Low was replaced by Marc Berman.[10][11]
Low is a co-founder and co-chair of the California Legislative Tech Caucus.[12] There are 24 members of the Tech Caucus.[13]
In 2014, Low supported SCA 5, an initiative that would have asked voters to consider eliminating California Proposition 209's ban on the use of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in recruitment, admissions, and retention programs at California's public universities and colleges.[14] Proposition 209 also effectively banned affirmative action in the public contracting and employment. Low supported a similar effort to repeal Prop 209 in its entirety with ACA 5 and Proposition 16 in 2020.[15] In 2023, Low also supported ACA 7, a narrower effort "that would allow state agencies to consider race if academic research shows evidence those race-based programs could work."[16][17]
In 2016, New York Magazine identified Low as a potential United States presidential candidate in 2024 along with nine other young Democrats who, like Obama, have unusual ambition.[19]
In the 2017–2018 session, The Sacramento Bee identified Low as California's most prolific lawmaker, where he had the most bills signed by any member of the state legislature by Governor Jerry Brown.[20] He has also been credited with driving the future of Uber and Lyft in the California State Legislature.[21]
In 2019, Low introduced AB-57, which would allow candidates with birth names in character-based languages—such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean—to use those names in voter requested translated ballots. Previously, candidates such as Fiona Ma have had transliterated versions of their name (e.g. Fei O Na Ma) appear on translated ballots. The bill also required candidates without character based birth names to phonetically translate their names on translated ballots, unless they prove that they are known under a different name within the target community. AB-57 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2019 and went into effect in 2020.[22]
In 2023 in SB 815, language added by Low in AB 2098, was removed from California Law due to concerns it was unconstitutional being tested in Court. Judge William B. Shubb prevented any doctors from being punished during the one year the "anti-misinformation" language was on the books.[23]
In 2023, Low announced that he would be running for Congress in California's 16th congressional district.[24] It is currently represented by Representative Anna Eshoo, who announced that she would be retiring after the 2024 election.
In December 2023, Low announced his intention to run for California's 16th congressional district, which was held by retiring incumbent Anna Eshoo.[25] After the primary in March 2024, Low and Santa Clara County supervisorJoe Simitian repeatedly traded the second-place position multiple times during the vote count.[26] By April 3, 2024, both Low and Simitian tied with 30,249 votes each and were expected to advance to the general election under a stipulation by California elections code regarding a second-place tie in primary elections.[26] Both campaigns released statements indicating that they intended to compete in the general election.[27]
However, after a poll believed to be conducted on behalf of supporters of first-placed Sam Liccardo testing two-way match-ups was fielded,[28] two residents of the district, including former Liccardo campaign finance director and current donor Jonathan Padilla, requested a recount; Liccardo himself was ineligible to do so because he does not live in the district.[29] Liccardo's campaign denied responsibility, though they agreed the recount was necessary, saying "every vote should be counted."[30]
At the conclusion of the recount, Simitian was ultimately eliminated and Low advanced to the general election by a 5-vote margin.[31]
In October 2024, good-government group Defend the Vote[32] filed an FEC complaint against Low,[33] alleging that he had spent nearly $600,000[34] from his state campaign account on ads that were distributed across the congressional district. Defend the Vote argued that the move violated federal campaign finance laws,[35] as state campaigns can accept higher individual contributions than federal campaigns, and can receive political action committee and corporation donations directly.
In wake of the expenditures, an attorney for Liccardo sent cease and desist letters[36] to five TV stations that broadcast the ads. The Mercury News Editorial Board reaffirmed their endorsement of Liccardo,[37] criticizing Low for “putting political self-interest ahead of campaign integrity.”
Assemblymember Low has been named "Legislator of the Year" by the Internet Association, TechNet, The Computing Technology Industry Association, California Faculty Association, Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, California District Attorneys Association and Faculty Association of California Community Colleges.[42][43][44]
