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Today two-term Berkeley City Councilmember and longtime community leader Jesse Arreguin announced he will be a candidate for Berkeley Mayor in the November 2016 election. Councilmember Arreguin launched his candidacy with an email to supporters this morning and with a new campaign website at www.Jesse.vote.

“We need a Berkeley that works for everyone,” said Councilmember Arreguin. “That’s why I’m running for Mayor. As I’ve done on the City Council and throughout my career, I’ll bring our city together and get results, so Berkeley moves forward and carries on our tradition of strong progressive leadership.”

Arreguin cited the affordability crisis as the number one challenge facing the next Mayor. 

“We must ensure Berkeley remains a diverse and vibrant city,” said Arreguin, “That means protecting and expanding affordable housing and fighting displacement. It also means tackling health, economic, and educational disparities, so everyone in Berkeley has the opportunity to succeed.” 

Arreguin is also running on a platform of modernizing City government and making Berkeley’s public services more innovative and efficient. 

“For such a forward-thinking community, the technologies our City uses to serve the public are incredibly out of date,” said Arreguin. “Our core services - from fire and police response to permitting and pothole repair - could be made much more responsive and efficient. But it’s going require some fresh thinking and a Mayor who embraces the future.” 

Arreguin will kick off his campaign for Mayor with a crowd of supporters on Thursday, November 12 at 6 pm [http://www.jesse.vote/kickoff]. 

“I’m looking forward to the campaign,” said Arreguin, “And to engaging in conversation with residents in every corner of Berkeley about the kind of future we want for our city.” 

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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, 21^st 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.