California Gov. Gavin Newsom released a statement Tuesday endorsing current Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín for reelection in 2020.
Arreguín announced his plan to run for a second term in August 2019. Arreguín is the first Latinx mayor elected in the city.
“The city of Berkeley has long been at the forefront of progressive leadership, and today, Mayor Jesse Arreguín is leading Berkeley forward, standing up to Donald Trump, and delivering real results,” Newsom said in a statement.
Over the past 16 years, Arreguín has served on Berkeley’s Housing Advisory Commission, the Rent Stabilization Board, Zoning Adjustments Board and worked as a legislative aide in Berkeley City Hall.
Arreguín said he is pleased to have Newsom’s endorsement and is grateful for their friendship.
“I’m honored to be endorsed by Governor Newsom,” Arreguín said. “I’ve known him for many years as an intern at City Hall. I look up to him as a mentor.”
In 2008, Arreguín was elected to Berkeley City Council, representing Downtown Berkeley District 4. In 2016, Arreguín was elected as the mayor of Berkeley. As mayor, Arreguín’s top priorities have been addressing homelessness, affordable housing, and improving infrastructure and education, according to his website.
Newsom addressed similar sentiments about Arreguín’s priorities to the city.
“Jesse Arreguín has a strong record of building more housing, raising the minimum wage, and addressing homelessness,” Newsom said in the statement. “I know he will make Berkeley proud.”
Well before the 2020 elections, Arreguín has received endorsements from California political leaders, including Buffy Wicks, a State Assembly member, as well as City Councilmembers Ben Bartlett, Kate Harrison, Sophie Hahn and Rigel Robinson.
Hahn said Newsom’s endorsement is a measure of his trust in Arreguín.
“It’s a testament to the work the mayor has been doing for years,” Hahn said. “The governor does not need to endorse local mayors, but Newsom knows him personally. It’s all about the trust they built and the years they’ve known each other.”
