The East Palo Alto City Council meets on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, to discuss appointment of the next mayor. From left are councilmembers Ruben Abrica, Webster Lincoln, outgoing Mayor Martha Barragan, outgoing Vice Mayor Mark Dinan and Carlos Romero. (Video framegrab via City of East Palo Alto)
In a reorganization ceremony this week, the East Palo Alto City Council voted to appoint Webster Lincoln as mayor and Ruben Abrica as vice mayor, bypassing the council’s typical process of elevating the vice mayor to be the next mayor.
The council’s nominations and votes came after members of the public spoke on their preferences, a process that the council later said was not typical for reorganizations.
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Alise is a general assignment reporter with a focus on covering government, elections, housing, crime, courts and entertainment in San Francisco and on the Peninsula. Alise is a Bay Area native from San Carlos. She studied history at University of California, Santa Cruz and first started journalism at Skyline College’s school newspaper in San Bruno. She has interned for Bay City News and for Eesti Rahvusringhääling, or Estonian Public Broadcasting. She has covered everything from the removal of former San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus to the divisive battle over the Great Highway on San Francisco’s west side. Please send her any tips.
East Palo Alto City Council breaks tradition, elevates Webster Lincoln to mayor’s chair
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In a reorganization ceremony this week, the East Palo Alto City Council voted to appoint Webster Lincoln as mayor and Ruben Abrica as vice mayor, bypassing the council’s typical process of elevating the vice mayor to be the next mayor.
The council’s nominations and votes came after members of the public spoke on their preferences, a process that the council later said was not typical for reorganizations.
Continue reading for free
Sign in to read this story and receive the weekly roundup in your inbox.
Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in.
Please visit My Account to manage your account.
Alise Maripuu, Bay City News
Alise is a general assignment reporter with a focus on covering government, elections, housing, crime, courts and entertainment in San Francisco and on the Peninsula. Alise is a Bay Area native from San Carlos. She studied history at University of California, Santa Cruz and first started journalism at Skyline College’s school newspaper in San Bruno. She has interned for Bay City News and for Eesti Rahvusringhääling, or Estonian Public Broadcasting. She has covered everything from the removal of former San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus to the divisive battle over the Great Highway on San Francisco’s west side. Please send her any tips.
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