Cupertino Councilmember R. “Ray” Wang is again facing criticism for his behavior as a public official, this time for abruptly ending his remote connection to a recent Council meeting in protest over an agendized item. The Council was forced to end its December 2 meeting when Wang virtually disconnected mid-session amidst discussion around a vote on a controversial affordable housing project issue. Wang disagreed with the City Attorney’s advice around the legality of the item and action under discussion and left the meeting. The action forced the remaining councilmembers to terminate the meeting because the Brown Act requires members of the public to be able to participate from the remote location of any elected official joining virtually.
Initially following the meeting, Wang stated that his laptop battery died and he was unable to re-join the meeting. Later amidst public critique, Wang issued a public apology acknowledging that his early exit from the recent Cupertino City Council meeting raised procedural risk. Wang said, “I want to sincerely apologize for leaving the Zoom meeting on December 2 in protest … On reflection, I should not have threatened to leave the meeting to force its termination.”
In a successive meeting on December 11, Councilmember Kitty Moore called Wang ‘ill-prepared’ and questioned his story around his technical difficulties, asking Wang “Do you understand why some people might not find what you’re saying sounding remotely believable?”
The incident impacted Wang’s prospects to serve as vice mayor, a Council-appointed position for which he was seen as the leading candidate. Instead, Kitty Moore was elected mayor, and Liang Chao was elected as vice mayor, swapping roles in a move that many deemed unusual even for the politically divided city. Moore commented on her priorities when Chao was appointed, saying, “I cannot willingly choose to end up with surprises, so you (Chao) are my top choice.”
Prior to the incident in early December, Wang exited two other council meetings early due to national and international travel. Outside of his City Council role, Wang is the founder of tech consulting firm Constellation Research and is allowed to travel for two weeks per month according to Council regulations. Out of 30 meetings this year, he’s attended 30% virtually since he was elected one year ago by a margin of 64 votes.
Earlier this fall when addressing concerns about his attention to the public during his travels, Wang said, “If anybody wants to reach out to me or has a question — if they can’t get a hold of me, I would be very surprised. I’m here for the residents.”
Wang’s last public apology was issued in June 2025 because of comments he made about community members on public forum Nextdoor, calling them YIMBY Neo Liberal fascists.
Wang apologized to residents at the time in a letter to the Mercury News, saying, “I take this position seriously and plan on earning that trust back, as well as that of Cupertino residents, planning commissioners, and the general public with my actions and words.”