Berkeley’s new mayor, Jesse Arreguin, came into office as the city’s first new mayor in fourteen years, as well as its first Latino and youngest mayor. Arreguin previously served two four-year terms on the city council.
Because Berkeley has not had a new mayor in fourteen years, many foresee that Arreguin’s term, which began on December 1, will bring major changes to some of Berkeley’s most debated issues, including homelessness and affordable housing.
Berkeley District Five City Council Member, Sophie Hahn, said “I am delighted. I think it’s exciting to have a mayor who is so young yet so accomplished, who is Latino, and who embodies the future of California and of Berkeley.” She stated that she is happy that Arreguin is committed to equity and to a progressive agenda for the City of Berkeley. However, UC Berkeley graduate student and one of Arreguin’s opponents in Berkeley’s 2016 mayoral race, Ben Gould, does not have total confidence in Arreguin as Berkeley’s next mayor.
“I feel uncertain. I’m sure Jesse Arreguin has the best intentions, but I’m concerned his policies may not achieve the diverse, inclusive city he advocated for on the campaign trail,” Gould said.
According to Arreguin, he ran a grassroots door to door campaign that covered every inch of the city. He said that in addition to endorsements from Bernie Sanders and the Sierra Club, he also had “an army of over two hundred volunteers that canvassed the city.” Many Berkeley residents are excited to have Arreguin as their next mayor.
Jacquelyn McCormick, Arreguin’s campaign manager, said, “I believe under Mayor Arreguin’s leadership that there will be greater consideration for the community, small business, and neighborhoods.”
Hahn thinks that with Arreguin’s leadership, the council meetings will be more welcoming, respectful, and better organized. Arreguin added, “We are going to run our meetings effectively with respect to the council and respect for the public.” Arreguin said he plans to tackle many of Berkeley’s most prevalent issues, such as Berkeley’s affordability crisis, housing crisis, minimum wage, public safety, and community facilities. Arreguin said that Berkeley needs to invest in long-term solutions for homelessness, and the real solution to homelessness is housing.
Many of Arreguin’s beliefs differ from the ideas of Berkeley’s previous mayor, Tom Bates, such as the housing crisis.
Arreguin said, “The outgoing mayor felt building lots of luxury housing was going to ultimately solve the issue of the skyrocketing rents and displacement.” Arreguin thought that Berkeley needs to build housing for all income levels.
Arreguin believed that since the city is constructing taller buildings, builders were obliged to provide affordable housing and community benefits that would address the community’s priorities. Arreguin said that Bates thought “everything should be a negotiation between builders,” which, as Arreguin said, ended in Berkeley not getting enough money and developers not contributing their share.
However, some of Arreguin’s policies are similar to visions Bates held as Berkeley’s mayor. During Bates’ term as mayor, he was deeply focused on Berkeley’s environment and green economy. Bates co-founded the East Bay Green Corridor Partnership and started Berkeley’s Climate Action Plan. Arreguin states that he will continue “Berkeley’s long tradition of environmental leadership.”
Additionally, Arreguin said, “I have a great deal of respect for Tom Bates … he has made a lasting impact on Berkeley and the region, and I have big shoes to fill.”
Arreguin said that another similarity was that Bates was elected in his thirties and came into office with a new perspective. As Berkeley’s new mayor, one of Arreguin’s first messages to Berkeley High School students is: “You can make a difference, and now more than ever we need you to make a difference.” Arreguin added that students should get involved with the community, work to make Berkeley a better place, and “be part of the movement for change on the national level.”