Jesse Arreguín

Jesse Arreguín (born September 4, 1984) is an American politician serving as a member of the California State Senate since 2024, representing the 7th district.

[4] He helped increase the city's minimum wage to $15, co-wrote the Downtown Area Plan, passed the Affordable Housing Mitigation Fee used to build affordable housing, created police reform after Black Lives Matter demonstrations, and worked to save the historic Main Post Office.

"[24] In January 2017, following the release of Donald Trump's executive orders calling for the construction of a border wall, and enforcement of immigration law including the withholding of federal funds from sanctuary cities, Arreguín released a statement along with other progressive mayors in the region opposing the "hateful and harmful policies.

"[25] When a talk by controversial "alt-right" commentator Milo Yiannopoulos was announced on the University of California, Berkeley campus in February 2017, Arreguín said, "Bigotry is unacceptable.

"[26] After violent protests caused UC Berkeley to cancel the talk,[27] Arreguín said, "we as a city do not make a decision about inviting a speaker.

"[32] Arreguín reportedly again became a target of death threats when conservative commentator Ann Coulter planned to speak on the UC Berkeley campus and canceled her appearance over safety concerns in April 2017.

[39] Ahead of the event, Arreguín stated that his office was "currently exploring all options, including whether we have the legal means to stop this rally from taking place.

"[40] At a press conference with local leaders including Rep. Barbara Lee and State Sen. Nancy Skinner, Arreguín called for opponents of the rally to hold counter-demonstrations in different locations to avoid violence between groups.

“Interpreting my travels as an endorsement of how either side has managed the conflict would be an unfortunate mistake.”[42] Critics included former Berkeley mayor Gus Newport, campus lecturer and co-founder of Zaytuna University Hatem Bazian and Jewish Voice for Peace member Ellen Brotsky, and spokesperson for the Arab Resource and Organizing Center Wassim Hage.

[47] Arreguín described the bill at the time as a "a declaration of war against our neighborhoods", saying it would remove some of cities' zoning rights and lead to unwanted density in Berkeley.

[48] The project, proposed by Baran Studio Architecture and owner CS Construction, was for three single-family homes and conformed to all local zoning requirements.

He was endorsed by the California Democratic Party, United Farm Workers, Planned Parenthood, Governor Gavin Newsom, State Senator Nancy Skinner, and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks.

[61] He is also a member of the Energy, Utilities and Communications; Housing; Local Government; Transportation; and Business, Professions and Economic Development Committees.

[62] Following President Donald Trump’s announcement that local officials who interfered with deportation efforts would face investigation,[63] Arreguín responded during a press conference, stating, "I’m sure all my colleagues will stand with me and say, ‘Come after us if you wanna arrest us for protecting our communities.

Arreguin in 2017