List of mayors of Berkeley, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mayor of Berkeley
Seal of the City of Berkeley.
Incumbent Adena Ishii since December 6, 2024
Term length	4 years renewable
Formation	1878
First holder	Abel Whitton

A mayor is an important leader in a city or town. They help make decisions about how the city runs, like managing parks, roads, and public services. This article lists the people who have served as the main leader of Berkeley, California, from its early days as a town to today.

Understanding City Leaders

What Does a Mayor Do?

A mayor is like the chief executive officer of a city. They are usually elected by the people who live there. The mayor works with the city council to create laws and manage the city's money. They also represent the city at different events and meetings. Their job is to make sure the city runs smoothly and serves its residents well.

How Leaders Are Chosen

In Berkeley, the mayor is elected for a four-year term. This means they serve for four years before another election is held. A mayor can be re-elected, so they might serve more than one term. This system helps make sure that the city's leadership is chosen by its citizens.

Early Leaders: Presidents of the Town Board (1878–1909)

Before Berkeley had mayors, its main leaders were called "Presidents of the Town Board of Trustees." This board was a group of people who helped govern the town. These presidents were important in shaping Berkeley in its early years.

• Presidents, Town Board of Trustees (1878–1909)
  • Abel Whitton (Workingman's Party) 1878–1881
  • A. McKinstry 1881–1883
  • W.C. Wright (Republican) 1883–1885
  • J.B. Henley 1885–1887
  • Henry L. Whitney 1887–1889
  • Samuel Heywood / Joseph L. Scotchler (Republican) 1889–1891
  • Reuben Rickard (Republican) 1891–1893
  • Byron E. Underwood / Martin J. Acton / Charles S. Preble 1893–1895
  • Reuben Rickard (Republican) 1895
  • John W. Richards 1895–1899
  • William H. Marston 1899–1903
  • Thomas Rickard (Republican) 1903–1909

Mayors of Berkeley

In 1909, Berkeley changed its leadership structure, and the main leader became known as the "Mayor." Since then, many different people have served in this important role, guiding the city through various changes and challenges.

• Mayors
  • Beverly L. Hodghead (Democrat) 1909–1911
  • J. Stitt Wilson (Socialist) 1911–1913
  • Charles D. Heywood (Republican) 1913–1915
  • Samuel C. Irving (Democrat) 1915–1919
  • Louis Bartlett (Republican) 1919–1923
  • Frank D. Stringham (Republican) 1923–1927
  • Michael B. Driver (Republican) 1927–1930
  • Thomas E. Caldecott (Republican) 1930–1932
  • Edward N. Ament (Republican) 1932–1939
  • Frank S. Gaines (Republican) 1939–1943
  • Fitch Robertson (Republican) 1943–1946
  • Carrie L. Hoyt (Republican) 1947 (January–April)
  • Laurance L. Cross (Democrat) 1947–1955
  • Claude B. Hutchison (Republican) 1955–1963
  • Wallace Johnson (Republican) 1963–1971
  • Warren Widener (Democrat) 1971–1979, first African-American mayor
  • Gus Newport, (Berkeley Citizens Action) 1979–1986
  • Loni Hancock, (Berkeley Citizens Action) 1986–1994
  • Jeffrey Shattuck Leiter, 1994 (March–December)
  • Shirley Dean, (Berkeley Democrat Club) 1994–2002
  • Tom Bates, 2002–2016
  • Jesse Arreguín, 2016–2024
  • Adena Ishii, 2024–