Larry Stone isn’t your average county bureaucrat. As Santa Clara County’s Assessor, he’s mastered the art of turning public mockery into a personal brand, transforming those boos into a quirky career highlight.

Imagine getting booed everywhere you go - at jazz concerts, Rotary Club meetings, and even by firefighters in New York City - and actually loving it. That’s exactly how Stone has navigated his political career, turning potential public disdain into an unexpected marketing strategy.

The Boo-tiful Strategy

When Stone first ran for office in 1994, he saw potential in those jeers. Instead of being discouraged, he and his wife Carmen transformed the boos into a trademark. “As a politician, I get a hell of a lot more attention than mayor-so-and-so,” Stone quipped, proving that in the world of local politics, any publicity can be good publicity.

Silicon Valley’s Most Notorious Assessor

His approach isn’t just amusing - it’s strategic. Stone understood that name recognition matters more than polite applause. By turning himself into a local character who gets deliberately booed, he ensured that everyone knew exactly who he was.

A Bittersweet Farewell

As Stone prepares for his last day on the job, the Silicon Valley community is left wondering: who will become the next official that everyone loves to playfully hate? His legacy isn’t just about property assessments, but about transforming a potentially negative interaction into something entertainingly memorable.