Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft was elected Mayor in 2018 and is currently serving her second four-year term. She previously served as a Member of the Alameda City Council from 2012-2018, including two years as Vice Mayor.
Marilyn holds leadership positions in the League of California Cities, including as a member of the League’s Board of Directors, Housing Community & Economic Development Policy Committee, and East Bay Division Executive Board. She represents the City of Alameda at the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), and is a member of the Alameda County Mayors Conference.
Marilyn is committed to expanding access to public transportation. To that end, she serves on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission where she represents the 14 cities of Alameda County. She is also Vice Chair of the Alameda County Transportation Commission.
Her first foray into local politics was as co-chair of the successful campaign in 2000 to build Alameda’s Main Library and renovate the City’s two branch libraries. In 2002, she chaired the successful campaign to keep Alameda Hospital open. Before being elected to the City Council, Marilyn served on the Planning Board, Economic Development Commission, and Alameda Hospital Board of Directors.
Marilyn grew up in Alameda, attended Edison Elementary and Lincoln Middle School, and is a proud graduate of Alameda High. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UC Davis and worked as a Probation Officer in Plumas County before pursuing a Juris Doctor degree at Santa Clara University School of Law and practicing employment law and civil litigation.
Marilyn and her husband raised their, now adult, twins in Alameda and fondly recall the days of Alameda Recreation and Parks Department summer camps, Girl Scout and Boy Scout activities, soccer games, and cross country meets. Marilyn also volunteered in local schools and for Meals on Wheels. As the granddaughter of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants, Marilyn is proud to be the first Arab-American Mayor and City Council Member in the City of Alameda.
Note: Alameda City Government is open and transparent. Any written correspondence sent to the City may be deemed a public record which could be disclosed.