About Scott
Hi, I’m Scott Lau. I was born and raised right here in Sacramento’s District 7, the proud son of immigrant parents who worked hard so I could have a better life. My dad was a restaurant waiter from British Hong Kong. My mom came from China and now works for the U.S. Postal Service. They worked long hours—so I spent most of my childhood at my grandparents’ house. We didn’t have a lot, but we had discipline, family, and big dreams.
Growing up in Land Park and Greenhaven, I attended local public schools—Sutterville Elementary, Caroline Wenzel Elementary, Genevieve Didion K-8, California Middle, and C.K. McClatchy High School. I didn’t always fit in. I was the quiet kid with hand-me-downs, thick glasses, and no brand-name clothes. I was bullied, picked on, and often felt like an outsider—both at school and at home, where I was expected to become a doctor like my cousins.
My parents chased “better” schools by moving us across neighborhoods, but the gap between me and my classmates only grew. Still, I pushed forward. I joined academic clubs, built bridges in MESA competitions, served in Key Club, played football, and even worked on the school newspaper. Every step was a small fight to find belonging—and purpose.
After high school, I stumbled. I dropped out of college twice and didn’t know where I was headed. But one day, while stuck in traffic due to a confusing road construction project, I had a realization: Who makes these decisions—and how can I fix them? I learned it was a city planner’s doing. That moment of frustration sparked my journey into urban planning.
I enrolled at Arizona State University online while working full-time and earned my bachelor’s in Urban Planning with honors. Then I earned my MBA from Texas A&M–Corpus Christi to better understand how business and government work together. Today, I lead emergency planning coordination for the State of California. But more importantly, I’ve built a life rooted in resilience, service, and purpose.
From preschool to policymaker, I’ve walked the path many working families know too well. Now I’m running for City Council—not as a politician, but as a neighbor. Someone who’s lived the struggle, learned the systems, and wants to make them work better for you.
This campaign is about more than politics—it’s about giving every kid, every worker, every family a fair shot to succeed. I’m ready to serve. Let’s build a Sacramento that works for all of us.
