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Press Release: Assemblymember Swanson Endorses Arreguin for Berkeley Mayor
Today, Berkeley City Councilmember Jesse Arreguin announced that his campaign for Mayor has been endorsed by former California State Assemblymember Sandré Swanson, who represented the East Bay’s former 16th Assembly District from 2006 to 2012.
“I am very happy to give my endorsement and full support to Jesse Arreguin in his campaign for Mayor,” said Swanson. “He is a visionary leader who will be a great Mayor of Berkeley. Now, more than ever, Berkeley needs a Mayor who will fight to make the city work for all of its residents and improve the quality of life for the entire city. That’s Jesse Arreguin.”
“I am deeply honored by Assemblymember Swanson’s endorsement,” said Councilmember Arreguin. “He is a principled leader who has never been afraid to stand up for what is right. His record of fighting for working people and at-risk youth is an inspiration, and I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead on behalf of all of the people of Berkeley.”
Sandré R. Swanson served three successful terms in the State Assembly. He was Chair of the Assembly Labor & Employment Committee, where he fought to grow the middle class with sustainable jobs. Assemblymember Swanson is passionate about the plight of at-risk youth. His work in the Assembly is widely used by the State of California today in its strategies for helping young people. In recognition of this work, Swanson was invited to the White House by President Barack Obama in 2014 and was requested to participate in the President’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative.
Swanson joins an expanding list of elected officials and community leaders backing Arreguin’s campaign for Mayor, including former Berkeley Mayor and civil rights leader Gus Newport, Berkeley Councilmember Max Anderson, Berkeley Rent Board Chair Jesse Townley and a super-majority of the elected Rent Board, Emeryville Mayor Dianne Martinez, AC Transit Director Mark Williams, former Berkeley Councilmembers Ying Lee and Carole Kennerly, and former Alameda County Board of Education President Jacki Fox Ruby, among many others.
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ABOUT JESSE ARREGUIN
As the son and grandson of farmworkers, a passion for social justice runs deep for Jesse Arreguin. At the young age of 9, Jesse volunteered with the effort to re-name San Francisco’s Army Street after his hero César Chavez. His public service continued through his youth and college years, and in 2008 he became the first Latino and youngest person ever elected to the Berkeley City Council. For the past 7 years, Councilmember Arreguin has represented our vibrant Downtown and portions of North Berkeley. He has also served as a Planning Commissioner, Rent Board Chair, and Sierra Club Boardmember.
On the City Council, Jesse has proven to be an effective consensus builder. He has helped move the City away from polarization, working constructively with his colleagues, local business, and community leaders to craft practical, forward-thinking solutions on pressing city issues. He has a demonstrated record of results, working to expand affordable housing, support local business, revitalize Downtown, and protect our environment.
Jesse Arreguin will be a dynamic, hands-on Mayor, who will put forth the energy, vision, and smart, 21st Century solutions needed to bring residents from every neighborhood to the table and give people from all walks of a life a stake in Berkeley’s future. And as he has done throughout his life, Jesse will champion social and economic justice for children, families, and seniors as the next Mayor of Berkeley.
