Akilah Weber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Akilah Weber
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Official portrait, 2021
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| Member of the California State Senate from the 39th district |
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| Assumed office December 2, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Toni Atkins |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 79th district |
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| In office April 19, 2021 – December 2, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Shirley Weber |
| Succeeded by | LaShae Sharp-Collins |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Akilah Faizah Weber
July 2, 1978 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dennis K. Gakunga
Andrew Paul Pierson
(m. 2024) |
| Children | 2 |
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| Education | Xavier University of Louisiana (BS) University of Rochester (MD) |
Akilah Faizah Weber Pierson (born July 2, 1978) is an American politician and a medical doctor. She currently serves in the California State Senate since December 2024. As a member of the Democratic Party, she represents the 39th district. This area includes parts of central San Diego, along with the cities of La Mesa, El Cajon, and Lemon Grove. Before this, she was a member of the California State Assembly from 2021 to 2024. She represented the 79th district there. Akilah Weber is the daughter of Shirley Weber, who is the current Secretary of State of California. Akilah took over her mother's Assembly seat after winning a special election in 2021.
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Early Life and Education
Akilah Weber was born and grew up in Oak Park, San Diego. She went to Xavier University of Louisiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Later, she studied medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center and became a medical doctor.
Career in Medicine and Politics
After finishing medical school, Dr. Weber completed special training at the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. She also did a fellowship in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Today, Dr. Weber works as an OBGYN (a doctor who specializes in women's health and childbirth) at Rady Children's Hospital.
In 2018, Akilah Weber decided to get involved in local government. She was elected to the City Council in La Mesa. This was her first step into public service.
In 2021, her mother, Shirley Weber, left her position in the California State Assembly to become the Secretary of State of California. A special election was held to fill the empty seat. Akilah Weber ran for the position and won on April 6, 2021. She officially started her role in the Assembly on April 19, 2021.
Elections and Public Service
Akilah Weber has been elected to represent her community multiple times.
Serving in the Assembly
In 2021, she won a special election to become the representative for the 79th Assembly district. She received more than half of the votes. In 2022, she ran for re-election to the Assembly and won again. She continued to serve the 79th district until December 2024.
Moving to the State Senate
In 2024, Akilah Weber ran for a seat in the California State Senate. She won the election for the 39th district. She began her term in the State Senate on December 2, 2024. In this role, she helps make laws for the entire state of California.
