The East Palo Alto City Council named as its new mayor Antonio Lopez, while Martha Barragán was elected as its vice mayor.
Following the pivotal meeting on December 12 to cast their votes and determine leadership for the next term, after careful consideration and deliberation, the City Council announced those who would fill the positions.
He also took the opportunity to commemorate outgoing Mayor Lisa Gauthier for her exemplary service in 2023.
Mayor Gauthier's dedication and leadership were recognized with a commemorative gavel as a token of gratitude for her commitment to the community.
"The City Council expresses its deep appreciation for Mayor Gauthier's contributions and looks forward to continuing to build on the foundation established during her tenure," it said in a statement.
Likewise, the Council recognized the importance of this leadership transition and said it remains committed to promoting transparency, inclusion and community-driven decision making.
"As Mayor López and Vice Mayor Barragán assume their new roles, the City of East Palo Alto looks forward to a future marked by continued progress and prosperity," he said in Council.
Antonio López is the son of Mexican immigrants, but he was born and raised in East Palo Alto, ?a city exceptional for its poverty in relation to its proximity to the world's technological giants: Facebook, Google and the like. At the same time, it is also true for their cousins in the inner cities of California, who are nestled in wealthy communities and yet do not belong to them?, he wrote on his Linkedin account.
Lopez served as vice mayor under Lisa Gauthier and is East Palo Alto's youngest city councilman.
?As the newest and youngest City Council member of East Palo Alto, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my educational background to the political arena. “I look forward to working with elected officials across the county and state to strategize how we can invite these new political voices to the table as equal partners,” he wrote.
López is a graduate of Duke University and has a degree in African American and Afro-descendant Studies. He also has a master's degree in Fine Arts from Rutgers University, a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Oxford, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in philosophy. at Stanford University.
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