Fil-Am sworn in as history's youngest mayor in Pinole, California

Fil-Am mayor makes history as youngest elected official in Pinole, California

Story by Jun Nucum

Inquirer.net

23 January 2025

PINOLE, Calif. – Filipino American leader Cameron Sasai has officially been sworn into office as the mayor of Pinole in Contra Costa County, Calif.

Sasai, who became the City’s first Fil-Am councilmember in 2022, now sets a new record as both the first Fil-Am and the youngest mayor in the City’s 120-year history.

In his inaugural address at the Pinole Valley Performing Arts Theater, Mayor Sasai said his priorities include police reform and accountability, affordable housing, environmental justice and economic development.

“We pushed hard for progress our first two years in office, and as your mayor, I’m going to work tirelessly to keep that progress going,” he said.

“This is a new season for Pinole – we will focus our energy towards issues of substance like racial justice, improving police community relations, revitalizing our downtowns. These are all issues that I intend to take action on as mayor.”

Sasai said he takes pride in his heritage and will ensure that Pinole continues to be a safe place, where rights are protected and diversity is celebrated.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who administered Sasai’s oath of office on Jan. 19, expressed appreciation for “our continued partnership to lift up our most marginalized communities and help make California a place where all can thrive.”

“There’s a relentless pursuit and commitment to do better – to be better, to fight for justice, to not accept the unacceptable, to deliver solutions, to lift up people, to be on the front edge on all issues, making a difference for the people—and that spirit lives in Mayor Sasai,” Bonta said.

“It’s who he is. It’s how he fights, it’s how he rolls.”

Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer congratulated Sasai and said he was looking forward to working with the mayor in enhancing cultural ties and fostering economic relations between the Philippines and the US.

In an Instagram post, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) celebrated Sasai’s inauguration as “a proud moment for our community, filling us with hope and excitement for the positive and meaningful change Cameron will bring to Pinole.”

Fr. Geoffrey Baraan of St. Joseph Church in Pinole described the inauguration as “a monumental achievement, not only for Mayor Sasai but also for the entire Filipino community.”

“His success will inspire many Filipinos to pursue meaningful roles in public service and offer hope to young people, particularly from ethnic communities, that they too can achieve greatness. This is a moment of great pride and inspiration for us all,” Fr. Baraan said.

Sasai represents the City of Pinole on the WestCAT Board of Directors and the West Contra Costa Transportation Commission.

He graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a degree in Political Science–Public Service. He currently works for LEAD Filipino as public policy and advocacy coordinator and serves as vice chair for the Endorsements Committee of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County.