Cordell to run for Palo Alto City Council

LaDoris Cordell, vice provost for campus relations and special counselor to the president, has announced her intention to file as a candidate for a seat on the Palo Alto City Council in the November election.

Cordell, 53, is a 1974 Stanford Law School graduate and served for 19 years as a judge before coming to Stanford as vice provost in 2001. Cordell was appointed a Santa Clara County municipal judge in 1982 and in 1988 won a countywide election to become a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge. Cordell also worked as an assistant dean for student affairs for the Law School from 1978 to 1982.

"Most people with whom I interact are disillusioned with politics in this country," Cordell said of her decision to run for local office. "My philosophy is that if you want to make change you don't sit back and whine, you get out there and you do something."

Cordell said she isn't accepting contributions for her campaign, so she will not be obligated to individuals or groups. If Cordell is elected to the nine-member council, she will have to abstain from voting or participating in city council decisions involving Stanford, according to state regulations that govern conflict of interest.