Jesse Arreguín

Jesse Arreguín is an American politician serving as the mayor of Berkeley, California, a position he has held since 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the first Latino and one of the youngest individuals to hold the office. His tenure has focused on addressing the housing crisis, climate action, and expanding social services, while navigating the city's complex political landscape.

Early life and education

Jesse Arreguín was born on January 25, 1984, in Santa Rosa, California, and was raised in Rohnert Park, California. His political engagement began early; he served as a student member of the Rohnert Park City Council and was appointed to the city’s Park and Recreation Commission. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. During his undergraduate years, he was actively involved in student government within the Associated Students of the University of California and worked as a legislative aide for Berkeley City Council member Kriss Worthington.

Political career

Prior to becoming mayor, Arreguín served on the Berkeley City Council, representing District 4 from 2008 to 2016. During his council tenure, he served on several regional bodies, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District board. He also held leadership roles such as chair of the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board and was a member of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee. His early advocacy focused on tenant protections, affordable housing, and public transportation improvements, establishing him as a prominent progressive voice in East Bay politics.

Mayor of Berkeley

Arreguín was elected mayor in the 2016 Berkeley mayoral election, succeeding longtime mayor Tom Bates, and was re-elected in the 2020 Berkeley mayoral election. His administration has launched significant initiatives, including the Berkeley Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team and the city's adoption of the 2020 Berkeley Gas Ban. He has overseen the development of the Berkeley Plaza project and navigated challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the Berkeley Post Office. Arreguín has also served in leadership roles with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Bay Area Regional Collaborative.

Policy positions and initiatives

A central pillar of Arreguín's platform has been a aggressive response to the housing affordability crisis. He championed the 2018 Measure O affordable housing bond and has supported policies to streamline the approval of missing middle housing. On climate, he helped pass the East Bay Community Energy program and authored legislation to ban natural gas in new buildings. Other key initiatives include expanding the Specialized Care Unit for mental health crises, advocating for safe parking sites for unhoused residents, and pushing for greater police accountability through the Berkeley Police Department's reassignment of mental health calls.

Electoral history

* 2008: Elected to the Berkeley City Council from District 4. * 2012: Re-elected to the Berkeley City Council. * 2016: Elected Mayor of Berkeley, defeating opponents including Ben Gould and Laurie Capitelli. * 2018: Led the successful campaign for the city's Measure O affordable housing bond. * 2020: Re-elected as Mayor of Berkeley. * '2023: Announced his candidacy for the California State Senate in the 2024 election for District 7, seeking to succeed Nancy Skinner.

Category:1984 births Category:American people of Mexican descent Category:Berkeley City Council members Category:Mayors of Berkeley, California Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni